Our Sneak Peek of the Wedding Video

Check it out. =)

If you still need tickets

While tickets can be purchased at the gate, you will not get the discounts available online. Since a lot of people are deciding what they want for park tickets now, I thought I would post my discounted links one more time.

If you plan to go to more than one park each day, for a few days, we have a $20 discount on park hopper tickets through our wedding planner. You can buy those here.

If you plan to go to one park per day for 4 or more days, undercovertourist is your best bet.

Their prices include tax and shipping, which sometimes makes it hard to see the discount, though it is there.

Disney also offers discounts to Florida residents and military personnel.

If you still need tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party you can get those here:/

DO NOT BUY tickets on EBAY. Disney will not let you in with someone else's partially used tickets.

And don't forget to take a picture of the back of your tickets in case you lose them. See all my tips about tickets.

Disney World Suggested Packing List

Below is a list of some items guests coming to the wedding should consider packing. Some of them apply to different sorts of guests and how much time you plan to spend at the parks. Let me know if you have any questions.

Temperatures should be mild for the wedding weekend, but weather in Florida can change rapidly, so I recommend bringing layers that allow you to go with whatever the weather is a given day.

The 10 day weather outlook for Walt Disney World shows highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. You can view the forecast here: 

Clothing and Accessories – There are places to do laundry at Disney, but remember that it takes time and money. For a short trip, you might be better served by simply packing what you’ll need for the whole stay.

• Shirts
• Pants
• Outfits for wedding events
• PJs
• Underwear – more than you think you’ll need
• Belts
• Socks – moisture-wicking socks are ideal for this, also bring more than you think you’ll need
• Comfortable walking shoes – ideally two pairs in case one gets wet and needs to dry – I don’t recommend wearing flip flops to the parks – instead, look for some with arch support and thick soles and  break them in before your trip
• Sandals
• Dress shoes – for wedding events
• Pool shoes/flip flops – you’ll want to wear something to walk there and back
• Swimsuits
• Cover-ups
• Hats/visors – the sun can be intense at times, especially in Hollywood Studios.
• Sunglasses
• Hair bands and accessories
• Jewelry/scarves
• Sweatshirt or jacket for evenings – once the sun goes down, it can get a bit cold
• Princess outfits if girls already have them – they will want to wear them once they see other kids dressed up, so if they have them, pack them
• Baby necessities: diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, pacifiers, disposable bibs – some of these things can be purchased at Disney, but they have limited variety and sizes, especially of diapers.  

Toiletries – Disney provides little shampoos, bar soaps, and lotion. There is also a small hair dryer in most hotel rooms – If you forget any of this, you can easily buy it at a store of the resort.

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash and floss
• Hair brush
• Shampoo and conditioner (unless you are happy to use theirs)
• Shower gel
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with sunscreen in it
• Face wash
• Lotions
• Makeup and makeup remover
• Tampons/pads
• Razors and Shaving cream
• Hairspray
• Contacts/glasses
• Allergy medications
• Vitamins
• Moleskin – ideal for blisters
• Insect repellant
• Nail file

Other essentials:

• Plane Tickets/boarding passes
• Hotel room confirmation #s
• Magical Express packet – put yellow tags on bags if you want them to get your bags
• Dollar bills for tips/tolls
• Theme park tickets if you preordered them – make copies or take pictures on your phone so Disney can replace them if lost
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets – if you preordered them
• IDs for each adult – you will also need these to drink at the wedding
• Membership cards – there are some AAA discounts at Disney
• Health insurance card
• Prescription medications you might need on vacation
• Any meal confirmation #s
• Rental car information if you are renting
• Cell phone charger
• Camera with batteries/charger
• Headphones
• Lanyard for room key/tickets
• Disney pins for trading – if you already have some
• Umbrella or poncho – the latter is easier to carry
• Easily carried bag for in the parks – we use a small backpack that either of us is willing to wear
• Zip top bags – Large ones are good for wet clothing while the small are great for snacks.
• Coins for tolls, washing machine, and penny press machines
• Pennies for pressing – there are machines are all around the parks
• A towel can come in handy at the parks – block the sun, save spot for a parade, clean off a seat
• Fat pen for character autographs
• Something for them to sign – they sell autograph books in the parks
• Ribbon to mark rented strollers
• Strollers can be rented at the parks - more details can be found here
• Ear plugs – good on loud rides and if you have a noisy neighbor

Feel free to post any other packing suggestions below. These were just some I came up with that should be helpful to most visitors at Disney World.

Also, guests staying in our room block, remember to ask for your welcome bag at check-in, it will contain vital details about transportation for the wedding events.

Christmas Around the World at Epcot

If you visit Epcot this holiday season, you will have an opportunity to learn about holiday traditions around the world. Each country has a special guest telling the tale. 

We had a blast in Norway

Storytellers include:

American Adventure:

• Santa Claus - 1:30-3:00, 3:30-5:00, 5:30-7:00, 7:30-9:00pm
• Hanukkah - 12:00, 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 2:55, 3:45, 4:30, 5:45pm
• Kwanzaa - 12:!5, 1:00, 1:45, 2:30, 3:25, 4:00, 4:45, 6:00pm

Canada: The tale of Lumberjack Nowell journeying to find Santa - 11:30am, 12:05, 12:40, 1:15, 2:10, 3:10, 4:10, 5:15pm

China: The Monkey King will tell of celebrating Chinese New Year - 11:45am, 12:20, 12:55, 1:30, 2:30, 3:20, 4:20, 5:20pm

France: Pere Noel - 11:25, 12:00, 12:35, 1:15, 2:10, 2:55, 3:35, 4:25pm

Germany: Helga reveals the story of the first Christmas tree and her first nutcracker -1:!5, 2:15, 3:15, 4:05, 5:30, 6:05, 6:40, 7:15pm

Italy: La Befana, Italy's good Christmas witch, celebrated her first Christmas 2,000 years ago - 11:55am, 12:50, 1:25, 2:00, 2:55, 3:50, 4:45, 6:05pm.

Japan: Daruma doll and the Japanese New Year - 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 3:30, 4:05, 4:50, 5:35, 6:25pm

Mexico: The journey of the Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) to the Posada -1:30, 2:15, 3:15, 4:00, 4:45, 5:30, 6:30, 7:15pm

Morocco: Drummer Taarji tells the customs of Ramadan and Ashura - 1:30, 2:15, 3:00, 4:30, 5:30, 6:15, 7:30pm

Norway: Sigrid will tell the story of Julenissen, the trouble-making Christmas Gnome -2:45, 3:30, 4:15, 5:15, 6:15, 7:00, 7:45, 8:30pm

United Kingdom: Father Christmas - 2:45; 3:20, 4:30, 5:25, 6:05, 6:45, 7:30, 8:30pm

(copied from http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/christmas_world.htm#epcot)

Guests can also see the Candlelight Processional. If you want to guarantee a seat at the show, you can book a dinner package. 

How to drive to the Wedding Pavilion

Disney’s Wedding Pavilion is located between the Polynesian and The Grand Floridian in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Resorts Area. To get there, you must first go through the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza. Tell them that you are going to a wedding at the Pavilion, and they won’t charge you and will point you in the right direction. Parking is free at the Wedding Pavilion.

The best way to get to the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza is to take one of the Disney exits from I-4. Follow the signs for The Magic Kingdom.

The best address to put into GPS devices is that of the Grand Floridian, which is just down the street from the Wedding Pavilion:

4401 Floridian Way

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

From Atlanta, GA: I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike

Take FL-91 S (Florida Turnpike) South toward Orlando

Take exit 259 onto Interstate 4 West to Walt Disney World Exits

Take exit 67 toward Epcot/Downtown Disney – merge onto Epcot Center Dr.

Turn right on World Drive (follow signs to Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza)

They will direct you to the resorts – and there should be signs as well

The Wedding Pavilion will be on your right after you pass the Polynesian. If you get to the Grand Floridian, you have gone too far.  

From Tampa, FL: Take I-4 East toward Orlando.

Take exit 64 to merge onto FL-530 W/US 192 W/W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway

Take the exit toward the Magic Kingdom – follow signs to the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza

They will direct you to the resorts – and there should be signs as well

The Wedding Pavilion will be on your right after you pass the Polynesian. If you get to the Grand Floridian, you have gone too far.  

From International Drive: Take I-4 West toward Tampa

Take exit 67 toward Epcot/Downtown Disney – merge onto Epcot Center Dr.

Turn right on World Drive (follow signs to Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza)

They will direct you to the resorts – and there should be signs as well

The Wedding Pavilion will be on your right after you pass the Polynesian. If you get to the Grand Floridian, you have gone too far.  

More Details About Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Disney has released the map for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a special ticketed event on certain evenings at The Magic Kingdom.

You can view the map here and start planning all the fun to come at the Christmas Party.

Special events for the party include Mickey's One Upon a Christmastime Parade at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm; Holiday Wishes fireworks at 9:30 pm; A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show and Celebrate the Season Show throughout the evening; Character Dance Parties; complimentary cookies and hot chocolate throughout the park; appearances by Disney characters, and snow on Main Street!

Most of the regular Magic Kingdom attractions are open. I recommend Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Mad Tea Party, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor to guests of all ages. =)

If you want to attend the party and haven't bought tickets yet, you can get them here. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/

There's also a great video about the event at that site.

If you want to attend, I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as there are a limited number and they can sell out.

PhotoPass fun

While at Disney World, you are sure to take a ton of pictures. Disney offers a neat service to help make sure everyone gets pictures of their whole group at key places in each of the parks. They have PhotoPass photographers stationed all around to capture the magic.

Our PhotoPass photographers at Animal Kingdom. They were a hoot!

These photographers will take your picture with their camera and then give you a card, which you can use to claim the pictures later. You can then give that card to any other photographers you see in the parks and they will load the pictures they take on it as well.

PhotoPass photographers know right where to get the best shots.

After your vacation, you can go to www.disneyphotopass.com , register for free, and then enter any ID numbers you gathered on your trip. You then have 2 weeks to view or purchase the photos.

TIP 1: These photographers will also take a picture on your camera, which you don’t have to pay for! It never hurts to ask.

TIP 2: If the photographers suggest a seemingly weird pose, it is likely they are going to add some extra magic to the picture. Just go with it and enjoy the Disney fun when you get home.

Look who joined us!

TIP 3: Make sure you write down your ID number or take a picture of it in case you lose your card.

TIP 4: If you go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the photographers will give you a special themed card for that event that often comes with a discount on those pictures.

Brian and I have preordered a CD, so we can get pictures for family numbers who give us their card numbers rather than registering them themselves (as long as you get us the number before Christmas). Just email or text me the number. =)