Archive for the ‘Vacation Planning’ Category

Those who think of September as an autumnal month may be surprised by the levels of heat and humidity in central Florida, where it is still very much summer.  Although temperatures remain pretty much the same as August, spanning the low seventies to the low nineties, the humidity actually ratchets up a notch and often lingers through the night.

Prices are at annual lows for pretty much the entire month and Labor Day is the only major American holiday that does not reflect any rate increases.

Historically, this month has been recognized as a quiet month and years before the advent of deeply-discounted packages, the Magic Your Way program, and the Dining Plan, Disney offered special deals that included such things as meal vouchers and savings on recreation and shopping.

The Christian music festival, Night of Joy generally takes place near the beginning of the month, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs on a number of evenings.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Both the Night of Joy, which runs for two evenings, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, generally offered on six or seven nights during the month of September, are held in the Magic Kingdom which is closed to all but holders of these hard tickets.  Other guests should plan accordingly.

Attendance levels: Few families take vacations at the very start of the school year and the low room rates reflect the light crowds.

Weather: Expect a continuation of summer heat and humidity.  Although this seems to be the time when guests express the most concern about hurricanes, the season typically runs from approximately June to November.  Located in the center of the state, Walt Disney World faces a lesser risk than coastal areas and has been constructed to exceedingly high standards.  There’s also a decrease in precipitation and more days without the afternoon showers so prevalent in June and July.

Packing: Bring summer clothes, but toss in a light jacket or sweater if you’re visiting towards the very end of the month.  Although it generally remains hot, cooler weather starts to arrive in October and occasional lower evening temperatures are not unheard of.

Summer weather and extended park hours, coupled with lessening crowds and lowering prices make August a favorite of many families; particularly those with back-to-school dates in September.

While the heat and humidity remain at peak summer levels, there’s a bit less rain and, toward the end of the month, attendance tapers back to half of what it was during the first week.  It’s the perfect time of the year to enjoy the water parks and the “cool” rides like Splash Mountain the Kali River Rapids!

Fast Facts

Special Events: August is traditionally a quiet time at Walt Disney World – perfect for just relaxing and enjoying the parks and resorts.

Attendance levels: As different areas around the country head back to school, crowd levels drop off dramatically.  Numbers are typically at July levels for the first week then gradually decrease day by day as local and national school districts reopen for the new school year.

Weather: Although it’s the least-rainy summer month, August nonetheless sees an average of more than six inches of rain.  It’s still very hot with daily highs and lows mirroring those of July.

Packing: Plan for the heat and pack accordingly.  Water parks often attract many local visitors so the last couple weeks in August offer a terrific opportunity to enjoy Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon since Florida schools generally start earlier than those in many other parts of the country.  So, toss in some extra swimwear and enjoy the pools!

On September 12^th, the book will close on Storytime with Belle in the Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom.  Happily, it seems that Belle is awaiting the construction of her new home which will include an expanded version of Storytime: Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The area will be reimagined and open on October 15^th as a play and greet area featuring the stars of the upcoming movie “Tangled.”  Rapunzel, the princess with magical hair who has been imprisoned in a tower her entire life, and dashing bandit Flynn Rider who accidentally discovers her, will be on hand to greet guests at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks.

This new animated film, scheduled to be released this November, has been designed to recreate the look of classic fairytales, with details and ambiance inspired by Disneyland’s Fantasyland.

Walt Disney World is encouraging long-range planning with the release of one of its most popular specials, the Free Disney Dining Plan, through September 29, 2011.

Also announced yesterday, two other ways to save for travel on selected dates from October 3, 2010 to February 16, 2011:  a Gift Card Offer and reduced room rates.

With so many options to consider, you may be as confused as Alice! So, how do you find the best value for your vacation?

First, make note of the blackout dates. There are a number of periods, particularly for the Free Dining Offer in 2011, that don’t qualify.  If you can be flexible about your travel dates, you may be able to take advantage of an offer.  Holidays and peak weekends are seldom included in these specials.

Review the requirements of each offer. If you’re only planning a short trip, the Free Gift Card package, for example, won’t be applicable as it includes a minimum stay of five nights.

Pay attention to your resort category. Each of these offers has a tiered structure with a more inclusive dining plan, a larger gift card, or deeper discount for the more expensive resorts.  Depending upon your package preferences, a higher resort category can sometimes cost the same or less than a lower category.

Consider your travel party. Typically, families with several children staying in a Value resort will obtain the highest savings from a Free dining offer.  Smaller groups, particularly those choosing a Deluxe resort, will generally get a better value with a package that includes a reduced room rate.

Book early. The number of rooms available as part of special pricing is always limited.  The earlier you make a reservation, the greater your selection of resorts, views, and room locations.  Remember that your deposit of $200.00 holds a package and is fully refundable if cancelled prior to 46 days before departure.

Contact the Concierges at Whimsical World Travel. They will review all the options and find the best values for your magical vacation!

Visit our Special Offers page to get the full details on all Disney Destination deals.

What was once simple is becoming increasingly complex with each passing year.  Not so long ago, Walt Disney World had four “seasons.”  Guests could travel during the Value, Regular, Peak, or Holiday season and their stay would be priced accordingly.  Better yet, with a little flexibility, a trip could be planned with an arrival date in a lower-priced season, and even if the season changed during that stay, the price for the entire trip still reflected the less-expensive rates.  This made it easy, not just to plan a vacation, but to compare various options.

In keeping with the policies of most of the hospitality industry, Disney began to tweak this arrangement by pricing on a day-by-date basis.  Rates changed to reflect the start of a new season in the middle of a vacation; weekends became more expensive than weekdays.  Instead of simply Christmas and New Year, a premium was assessed for a number of different holiday periods throughout the year.

2011 sees the addition of a secondary, more expensive, Value season and a brand new Fall season.  The primary Value season of the past has been reduced to a few weeks in January and February, interrupted by increases for holiday weekends and the Marathon period.  The months from September through December, which were previously a mix of Value, Regular, and Holiday Seasons, with lots of Value weeks, will now reflect some Holiday rates, as well as the pricier Fall and secondary Value prices.

Coupled with a number of new room categories, the jumble of rates presents a challenging terrain for those navigating the vacation-planning process.  Let one of the Concierges at Whimsical World Travel be your guide!

For 2011 Walt Disney World has announced a variety of changes to package inclusions and cancellation policies, room rates, and seasons; all of which we’ll be sharing over the next weeks.  One of the most interesting modifications is the addition of new room categories at a number of the resorts.  While this will allow guests to reserve guaranteed room locations and views, it means that preferences which previously could be requested will now come at a fixed additional cost.

Of note is the fact that particular views are perceived as having so much importance that in some instances, a standard room with a premium view costs more than a concierge-level room with a less-desirable view.

Here are some of the categories for Standard and Concierge rooms; keep in mind that Deluxe Resorts also offer a variety of Suites and Deluxe Rooms with prices that are determined by category rather than view:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: A new Arusha Savannah View is an addition to the previous Savannah View.  This pertains to non-concierge rooms only and includes an option for Arusha View with standard bed configuration and Arusha View Bunk Bed rooms.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Concierge rooms are now available in Standard, Garden, or Lagoon Views.  The Standard View is parking lot or rooftop, while the new Lagoon View guarantees a fifth-floor room with a Crescent Lake vista.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn: Regular rooms can have a Standard View of gardens, leisure pool or parking lot, or a Water View which looks out over the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake.  In concierge, all standard rooms will overlook a courtyard, leisure pool, or the Boardwalk.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort: The Standard and Garden Views in the Garden Wing, and the Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom Views for both Standard Tower and Atrium Club Concierge rooms have been retained for 2011.  The 14^th floor Tower Club is still priced according to room or suite type rather than view.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Regular rooms continue to be offered in Garden, Lagoon, and Theme Park Views, while the Standard Royal Palm Concierge rooms in the main building come with or without a guaranteed Theme Park View.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Garden, Lagoon, and Theme Park Views are offered in both Standard and Concierge rooms.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: No changes for 2011; Standard, Woods, and Courtyard views are still available for regular rooms, with hit-or-miss on the concierge floor.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Same options as Disney’s Beach Club although overall, the Yacht Club views tend to be superior.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Room types include Standard View and a Water View that can be either pool or lake, King-bed, Preferred location, and Pirate-themed rooms with either Standard or Water Views.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: This resort also features Standard and Water Views, King-bed and Preferred location rooms, as well as a range of suites.

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: Standard and Water Views and a King-bed room are joined by the new River View category for 2011.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort: In addition to King-bed and Preferred location, Standard View, and Water View which may be of the river or pool, room choices now include a guaranteed River View for an additional charge.  Trundle-bed rooms will always be assigned to parties of five since other room categories only accommodate a maximum of four guests.

Value Resorts: Both Standard and Preferred location categories remain for 2011 as well as the Family Suites at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.

Your Whimsical World Travel Concierge is familiar with all the different room categories and views at each resort and will help you choose the perfect “room with a view” for your vacation.

Reservations are now being taken for 2011 vacation packages at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.  This is good news for those who enjoy the anticipation of a Disney vacation.

Booking early allows guests to ensure their first choice of accommodations, and leaves plenty of time for planning and getting the jump of those all-important dining reservations.

A $200.00 deposit will hold your Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort vacation package reservation and you can sit back and relax.  The Concierges at Whimsical World Travel track all special offers and will have your reservation modified to reflect any savings from available, applicable specials.

There’s no risk to secure a reservation – deposits for packages without airfare are fully-refundable (except for the cost of optional travel insurance) up to a minimum of 46 days before your departure.  So:

“Rap on a table, it’s time to respond,
Send us a message from somewhere beyond.

Wizards and witches wherever you dwell,
Give us a hint by ringing a bell.”

It’s the peak of summer and at Walt Disney World, visitors can expect longer park hours and extra shows and activities, as well as crowds, heat, and showers.  Scheduling the bulk of your park activities for the morning and evening is the best way to approach a summer visit.

The Fourth of July Weekend features  celebrations around the parks including a wonderful concert at the America Gardens Theatre.   Special fireworks are presented at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with the Magic Kingdom drawing the biggest crowds.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Fourth of July Celebrations

Attendance levels: This is the one time of the year when nearly everyone is out of school for the entire month, making it a very popular vacation time for families.  Some planning and judicious use of FastPasses will make for a more enjoyable experience.  Expect heavy attendance throughout the month with fierce crowds on July 4th in the Magic Kingdom

Weather: Guests who are not used to heat and humidity are often unprepared for the summers in central Florida.  Although July is the rainiest month of the year with nearly 8″ of rainfall on average, it seldom rains for an entire day.  Instead, there is often a quick shower in the afternoon.  While they don’t lower the temperatures, these sudden storms do tend to thin out the crowds in the parks.

Packing: Think tropical!  Light, cool clothing and swimwear will be the mainstays of a summer visit.  Make room in your suitcase for hats, sunblock, and rain gear.  The nights are not much  cooler than the daytime but do offer a respite from the sun.  If you’re prone to blisters and chafing, be sure to pack comfortable shoes and appropriate treatments as the heat tends to magnify these problems.

Beautiful June!  With the sunshine and showers, the grounds around the parks and resorts are lush and lovely.  The remaining Star Wars Weekends are on the calendar for June, joined in 2011 by the USA Gymnastics Open Championships scheduled to take place at the  ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

For nearly twenty years, June has also been the month chosen for the annual non-Disney-affiliated get-together known as Orlando Gay Days.  Participants typically stay at a designated off-site hotel and enjoy  a roster of both family- and adult-oriented activities there, which include parties, literary and film festivals, religious services, and seminars, as well as time in the Walt Disney World parks.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Star Wars Weekends; USA Gymnastics Open Championships

Attendance levels: School’s out and the summer crowds begin to arrive.   Generally speaking, events held at ESPN Wide World of Sports have little effect on park numbers, although participants may be housed at a specific resort,  typically one of the Value Resorts, which may impact the experience of other guests staying there.  The Gay Days schedule calls for a visit to a designated park each day, so those wishing to avoid the additional crowds can choose to visit a different park.

Weather: Although not quite the  rainiest month of the year,  on average, guests can expect rain during 14 of June’s 30 days.  With high and low temperatures ranging from the lower seventies to the low nineties, and the humidity up 5% over May, it’s getting hot and humid and will remain so until October.

Packing: Pack for summer but let your own habits be your guide – some guests like to bring a small hand-held fan or mister, and a day pack large enough to hold a water bottle; others prefer a light-weight, long-sleeved garment to wear in chilly, air conditioned areas.

May storms in with Star Wars weekends, an annual event that attracts thousands to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meetings, motorcades, and lots of fun activities featuring the heroes and villains of Star Wars fame.  Typically scheduled during the last weeks of May and the first part of June, the weekends begin just as EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival is winding down.

Although Disney’s Hollywood Studios is packed for the special weekend events, overall, May crowds are moderate until the Memorial Day weekend when the numbers ramp up for the summer and remain high through August.  While not yet at summer levels, both the temperature and humidity begin to climb.  The average rainfall, although nearly double April’s precipitation at almost 4”, is far lower than that of June and July, the rainiest months of the year.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Star Wars Weekends

Attendance levels: With the exception of Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends, crowds are moderate until the Memorial Day weekend

Weather: It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer; the Florida sun is hot bringing temperatures ranging from the high eighties to low nineties dropping to mid- and upper-sixties, with more humidity and rainfall

Packing: Warmer weather invariably means more rain, so be prepared for showers and hot weather