Planning for Disney Magic

I moderate several Disney Itinerary forums, and we often get questions from folks about how to plan the 'perfect' Disney vacation. They get so stressed about making a mistake that will ruin the trip, that it paralyzes them. Or, they worry that they won't know the 'perfect' place to sit, to stand, to be to experience the 'perfect' Disney magic.


Even though I own and operate a Disney planning business, I agree that too much or the wrong kind of planning does no good for anyone. And, although I believe you to plan empty spaces for Magic to grow and be experienced. I don't believe you can plan the exact spot or time where it will materialize.


My friend Pam, who authored a 'Disney on the Cheap' guide wrote this responce. I though it was... 'perfect'.


“Try to remember this is only one week of your life (or 10 days, or two weeks).

Nothing that happens will be life changing, it is just a vacation. Those "once in a lifetime" vacations only happen on TV. Real families aren't perfect enough to live up to hype like that.

Because it is simply part of your life, it will be similar to everything else that happens on a daily basis. In other words, if your hubby gets grumpy when he's hungry at home, he'll do the same on vacation, but it'll probably bug you more. If one of your kids has trouble sleeping when they're excited, it'll happen at Disney (in spades!). If you have trouble with achy feet after a long day at work, Disney is likely to leave you with blisters and such.

I think it's really tough to not get frustrated and depressed when things like this happen, but you'll always be ahead of the game if you can simply relax and go with the flow.

And sometimes, magic happens in spite of it all. Not because we've planned for it, but just....because. Not life changing TV-show-perfect magic, just kindness from a stranger, the happy smile on your kids faces when they discover they like a new food, or a hug from your hubby because he appreciates all your hard work. In fact, the magic may be so tiny you don't even realize it happened until you're back to your regular life and something reminds you - and you get a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. 

THAT's why we go to Disney World, and why it really doesn't matter where we stay, what we eat, or how we plan our day as much as it matters to relax and let those good things happen -- even as your feet are killing you, your husband is complaining about being hungry, and your kids are walking around like zombies with too-little sleep.

My theory is that these good things do happen to drama queens or jaded folks who feel entitled to things because "I paid a TON for this trip!", but they're too wrapped up frustration to notice the magic. How incredibly sad for those people and their kids - surrounded by this beautiful place, staffed by caring and wonderful people, and still not able to take a step back and simply be HAPPY.”

The Garden View Tea Room

The Garden View Tea Room is tucked quietly away in the back of the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby. It's easy to miss as you make your mad dash to the ever popular 1900 Park Fare. But somehow, this seems completely appropriate. Far from a ‘mad dash’, the Garden View Tea Room is a quiet gem that I can easily recommend you tuck away for your next Disney visit. 
My first visit to the Garden View Tea Room was quite a few years ago now. We were on an trip with my parents, and I thought it would be a nice thing for my mom, my daughter, and myself to do on a free day in our itinerary. All the generations enjoyed our experience so much - I knew I would be back. Just last month, I visited Walt Disney with a girlfriend who had never been to the World before. I thought this the perfect fit for us, and booked the reservation for 3:20 on our arrival day. 

As you enter the Grand Floridian from the monorail, the Garden View Tea Room is downstairs at the opposite end of the lobby. The Tea Room itself is hidden behind a half wall, and easily goes unnoticed as your eye goes to the windows, and not the room itself. 

Because the travel gods were on our side today, our arrival day tour of the monorail resorts had us in Grand Floridian about an hour ahead of schedule. We inquired at the podium if it would be possible to check In early. They asked us to give them a chance to seat those who arrived on time for their reservations, and then they would seat us early if they had room. This all worked out, so instead of 3:20, we actually were seated at 2:15. 

The room itself is feminine and lovely. Pinks, greens, flowers, and serenity. Although children are welcome (and incredibly adorable), this is very much an experience for a little prince or princess, not a rough and rowdy little pirate.  There are gentlemen in attendance, but by far, women of all ages were the main clientele. 


You can order a full tea service with multiple light food courses from the menu, or simply order a la carte. Because we were hungry and had no firm dinner plans, we both chose the full tea. But I think an afternoon of tea and dessert would be lovely as well. My companion and I both chose the Buckingham -- tea service, finger sandwiches, scones, and dessert. There are many varieties of tea to choose from. I couldn't decide, but knew that I wanted something decaffeinated. Sleeping in a strange place is hard enough... I didn't need caffeine in my system. The server was wonderful, gave me a wink, and asked me to let her surprise me. 
She returned with her personal concoction of a mixture of orange, passion fruit, vanilla, pomegranate and black current teas. It was perfect. But as with any high tea, the presentation here is half the fun The tea cozies, lumps of sugar, Royal Albert Bone China, and fine silver are utterly civilized.

The finger sandwiches were watercress and cucumber, curried chicken, roast pear and gorgonzola, egg salad on garlic potato bread, and shrimp salad. They were accompanied by a sweet onion tartlet. 

After we had lazed over our tea and finger sandwiches for while, our server brought our next course: scones, strawberry jam, strawberry tartlet, and devonshire cream. There was not enough cream to my companions liking, so I gave her mine. And she gave me her tartlet. It was a win - win. 

For dessert, even though it was not on the menu, my server brought me the trifle. My companion was looking forward to the strawberries and cream. 

As in many Disney restaurants, the people watching here is a part of the fun. Across the room from us sat several women with 3 little princesses, all in their finest. They girls were not Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiqued, but simply had on lovely Minnie Mouse themed dresses, with bows in their hair. It was precious. We struck up a conversation with the mother and adult daughter next to us who had been coming to the Tea Room together every year for 20 years - and had the same server every time! The daughter had come as a child, became a part of the student intern program, began her professional career as an employee of Disney in their entertainment division (she looked like she could have been very good friends with Cinderella, but all I got from that comment was a wink). Now, she worked in public relations.

But the most impressive sight was the couple who had gotten married at Disney earlier in the week. They decided to truly make a memory and came to tea totally dressed for the occasion. It was fun to see.

Help Around the Mouse always encourages folks to make room in their itineraries for free space. Disney is so much more than theme parks! The Garden View Tea is a perfect example of a treaSure that can so easily be missed if you spend all of your vacation running from attraction to attraction. Take some time to smell the roses! Including the ones on the Royal Dalton China. 

CHILD SWAPS AT DISNEY WORLD

Our thanks to friend and Help Around the Mouse tour pro Christine for the data behind this blog post.

Well I sure wish I knew about this awesome little trick way back in the 90’s. There were plenty of times I would have liked to swap my daughter for a more cheerful, cooperative child...

But unfortunately that’s not really what child swapping means. Apparently you have to keep the child you came to Disney with after all. 

But I digress...

The official term is Rider Switch Pass.

It’s often called child swap, parent swap, rider swap, etc. We’ll just refer to it as Swaps here.

What is a Swap?

A Swap is a special ticket that is available from the Cast Member at any FASTPASS enabled and Height Restricted attraction. 

If there is a someone in your party that does not meet the height requirements to ride (we’ll call him “the little guy”) you may obtain a Swap that allows up to 3 riders to enter via the FASTPASS line and ride, while someone (not the CM!) entertains the little guy.

That sounds handy! How do I get a Swap?

Approach the CM at the ride entrance and ask nicely! You must show the little guy and he will likely be measured. If the little guy does not meet the height requirement, the CM will then give you a Swap. 

How do I use a Swap?

The most efficient way to use a Swap is in conjunction with a FASTPASS.

Obtain a set of FPs for the ride at any point. When you return to ride, show your FPs and the little guy to the CM. The CM will collect those FPs and trade them for a Swap.

Those riding now- the first group- will enter thru the FP line. 

Those waiting with little guy can go do something else- no need to stand around waiting! 

The second group can return to ride with the Swap whenever they like and will also enter thru the FP line. 

The Swap is good til the end of that day. 

If you do not have a FP for the ride- you can still obtain a Swap but the first group will then enter immediately thru the Standby Line. 

Second group can use the FP line later with the Swap. 

(This is really only efficient if done right at park opening or when there is no wait or only a short Standby wait)

Remember- each Rider Swap allows up to 3 riders, so nobody rides alone. The big kids in your party will come to appreciate how handy the little guy is!

Do all Swaps work the same way?

Depends. 

Sometimes they will do a rider swap right at the ride loading area. In that case there is no need to obtain the Swap from the CM. When you approach the CM at the ride entrance they will let you know how swaps are being handled at that particular ride at that particular time.

My son is tall enough for Expedition Everest but is scared to ride, can I get a Swap?

Technically no. 

It never hurts to ask nicely but Rider Swaps are meant to be used for those not eligible to ride due to height restrictions.

In a case like this- there are usually ways to utilize FP so that nobody rides alone and somebody can wait with your son.

What's a Future Rider Card?

With your Swap, you may want to ask for a Future Rider Card

These cute little cards are available for the litle guys to save til their next Disney trip. When they return, and are tall enough for the attraction, they can present this card and they can ride the attraction with their family, just as if everyone had gotten a Fastpass. Neat, huh?

And don’t worry, Mom. Word on the street is that they let you keep the card so you can put it right back in the little guy’s scrapbook.


Help Around the Mouse is a planning service that uses knowledge such as this to keep our clients out of lines at Walt Disney World. Have you ever used the Rider Swap? How did it work for you? 

Richard Petty Driving Experience

Before Christmas last year, Richard Petty offered discounted prices on Ride Along vouchers. Since we had a trip coming up in February, I thought it a fine idea for my husband and our soon to be 16 year old daughter -- so I purchased two vouchers. I think the price was around $60 for each one. I little pricey, but everything I had read said that this was quite a memory for the participants, and I thought it was a unique experience they could share.

You don't need reservations if all you want to do is the Ride Along. But-- they don't run every day, so do call before your vacation and check to see the days and hours they are running. And, if you have your heart set on doing it, don't save the experience for the end of your trip. If it rains-- you'll be out of luck.

Luckily-- we had a car. Getting to the track with one was easy. If you have ever driven to the Magic Kingdom and parked in the Ticket and Transportation Center parking lot, you may have driven by the entrance to the track on your way out of the parking lot. If you don't have a car, I hear you get to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and they have shuttles that take you to the track. Personally, I am glad we had a car.

Entering the track is kinda cool.

Enter by driving under the track....

. 

...And back up the other side.

From there, the folks at the front desk will sign you in and sign you up. You suit up in coveralls, and then, within a few minutes, head out to the track. Jamie took a little while to find the one that would fit her. The small was not a men's small-- just small!

Another employee will finish suiting you up, ask you to sign your  life away, and then, pose for pictures.

Jon went first. A quick hop in the car, an official photo, and then, bam-- he was off. Three laps later, it was Jamie's turn.

The time on the track was over in minutes.

After the ride, you go back inside, leave your gear behind, and they have a plaque waiting for you complete with your picture to commemorate the trip. We passed.

The entire event - from entering to exiting the Richard Petty Experience easily took less than 30 minutes.

I am glad we did this in February when the weather was perfect. I can't imagine this in August.The heat and humidity, fumes and noise would not be a pleasant combination for families on a summer vacation. There is no air conditioning under the tent while you wait outside. And did you note the coveralls and helmet? Not fun if your already hot!

Was it worth it? Yeah. It was a different experience. I don't think I would have been happy if I had paid full price. But, for $120 total, they had a once in a life time experience.

At last I hope it's once in a life time. Jamie gets her license soon..... !!