Some Disney freebies to help you plan

For those of you who are new to Walt Disney World, or just want more information, there are some fun free things from Disney to help you plan.

One I highly recommend is the free Disney planning DVD. You just give Disney your info and this fun packet comes in the mail. It's a great way to preview the parks and get excited about the trip. There is also an online component for those who can't wait.

Even cooler are the free customized Disney park maps. They are beautiful keepsakes and in picking out elements for them, you get to explore elements at each of the parks.

If you have an Iphone or Ipad, you can download the free My Disney Experience App. This has park maps, FASTPASS return times for rides, locations of characters in the parks, and even lets you make dining reservations right in the application. I definitely recommend checking this out. And remember that you should make dining reservations in advance if you want to eat at a table service restaurant in the park. There are very few walk-up tables available.

Want to get in the Disney spirit? You can listen to Radio Disney on the free Radio Disney App. There are also some neat new apps that let you want Disney Chanel shows even if you don't subscribe. The website version is available here.

Brian and I with Phineas and Ferb at Hollywood Studios

There is a new interactive attraction at Epcot related to Phineas and Ferb, so I recommend checking one of those episodes out if you like cartoons.

Another great resource is Mousesavers.com. It has a great list of free or cheap things to do at Walt Disney World. I highly recommend checking out Downtown Disney, as it will be decorated for Christmas and have lots of points of interest.

And then there are always the awesome You Tube videos. Here is one of the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom!

4 months to go!

If you haven't already, this is a good time to:

• Book your hotel reservation in our room block by calling 407-827-6799 between 8 am and 5 pm

• Make your advanced dining reservations

• Sign up to take the free Disney’s Magical Express from the airport by calling (407) WDW-MAGIC

• Buy tickets to Disney Christmas events you want to attend, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot

• Buy your park tickets online at the discounted rate (email me for the best rates).

• Book your flight if you are flying. Southwest is still having a sale and we have a discount code for American Airlines. 

A Grand place to stay

For the ultimate experience, guests at our wedding can also stay at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Most of the wedding weekend events will be held at or around this resort.

This Victorian-style deluxe resort has wonderful views of The Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests can take the monorail or a boat over to the park directly from the resort. The lobby is spectacular, with live music and a wonderful tea room. In December, the hotel will be decorated for Christmas, with a large Christmas tree and other surprises that make it a perfect place to celebrate the season.

Guests can take advantage of the beach and beach pool, with water slide. They also have preferred access to 5 championship Walt Disney World golf courses.

Guests can send their children on Disney’s Pirate Adventure cruise. Call (407) 939-3463 for more details on that adventure. Or, for those more interested in crumpets than pirates, they offer the Wonderland Tea Party.

The resort has numerous amenities, including the Ivy Trellis Salon and the Grand Floridian Health Club. There is a business center available from 7 am to 5 pm in the convention center.

It also hosts some of the best dining at Walt Disney World. At 1900 Park Fare, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast with Mary Poppins, lunch with Alice and her friends from Wonderland, or dinner with Cinderella and her family. Narcoossee’s offers delicious seafood with a view of the Magic Kingdom. And when it’s time for the fireworks, they turn down the lights and play the same music that is playing in the park!

On the patio outside of Narcoossee's. 

  

For a more casual dining experience, try the Grand Floridian Café. We ate there on our planning trip and the food was great. I especially recommend the chicken with risotto and the dessert sampler. =)

And for foodies looking for an extra special dining experience, consider Victorian & Albert’s, winner of the AAA Five Diamond award. Guests indulge in a 2 to 2.5 hour meal that includes 6 courses.

As always, transportation is provides to all of the Disney parks. 

Our discounted rate here is $382.50/night including tax. They charge $25 extra per person per night for more than 2 adults per room. Theme park view rooms are available for an extra fee. I recommend booking soon if you want to stay here for the wedding, as the rooms will fill up quickly. Just call 407-827-6799 and tell them you are attending our wedding to book with our rate. Let me know if you have any questions.

Deal on Southwest flights! Updated offer ends August 24

UPDATE: Here's the newest sale link for Southwest. Some of the flights are still really reasonable, though it looks like seats are running out on the direct ones, so book soon if you want a good deal. This one ends August 24. But there are more blackout dates.

Below is the previous sale.

Southwest just started a sale on flights for winter and the dates coincide with our wedding!

http://travel.southwest.com/specialoffers/offerDetails.html?id=103581909&hero

Flights from Birmingham to Ohio are discounted, especially on the return (starting at $98 on Monday or $89 on Tuesday).

Flights from Ohio to Orlando start at $106 each way! If you are coming from Ohio, you'll want to jump on these deals.

If you don't have your flight yet for the wedding, check these out and book soon! You can always use the funds towards another flight if you change your mind after booking.

To get these deals, you need to book by August 13, so check them out soon.