To be sure your trip is extra magical, here are 5 tips for celebrating at Disney:

1. Celebrate all year long

Disney knows you may be celebrating a birthday before or after your actual birthday date. Feel free to celebrate your birthday anytime 6 months before OR 6 months after your birthday. OR plan a special HALF Birthday celebration trip…it’s all up to you.

2. Let Disney know about your celebration BEFORE you even arrive

Have your Travel Agent note your celebration on your resort room package and all dining reservations.

3. Ask for a FREE birthday button

Buttons are available at your resort front desk or at Guest Services in the parks.  These buttons ‘unlock’ the magic by letting Cast Members and fellow guests know about your special day.

4. It’s all about the cake

Order a Mickey Mouse Celebration cake at the hostess podium when you are seated for dinner at most Table Service restaurants at the Resorts, Parks and in Disney Springs.

5. Add your own magic

Personalize your celebration & enjoy a magical welcome from your favorite Disney pals! Add to the magic of celebrating a birthday at Disney, connect with Disney Floral & Gifts and have a room celebration package, like Mickey’s Birthday Surprise, waiting for your arrival.

More Celebration Ideas

There are lots of ways to enjoy your birthday the Disney way before, during, and after your trip to Walt Disney World. Download more ideas on celebrating in the parks, at Disney restaurants, and at the resorts here.

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

It’s official!

Earlier this week, Disney Parks shared an exciting announcement – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening ahead of schedule!

• August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida
• May 31 at Disneyland® Resort in Southern California

Galaxy’s Edge will open in two phases

On opening day for phase one, your family will be able to live your own Star Wars story and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, sample amazing galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and more.

Later in the year, phase two opens and with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined that will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

Stay tuned as more details will be announced throughout the spring and early summer.

Planning a Magical Disney Vacation to visit the new galaxy?

The expert travel advisors at Embrace The Magic Travel will work with you to create a perfectly planned Walt Disney World or Disneyland trip for your family.

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

Disney provided this Height Chart a few years ago, listing any rides/attractions with notable height requirements. Newer Ride height requirements are listed below.

Cast Members may check heights at the front of the ride entrances and also when boarding a ride vehicle for the safety and security of all guests.

Newest Rides and Attractions

Flight of Passage = 44″
Dwarfs Mine Train and Slinky Dog Dash = 38″
Alien Swirling Saucers = 32″

Planning your park visit

Knowing which rides and attractions are best suited for your family ahead of your trip is an important part of planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Ask your travel agent if they provide itinerary planning as part of their services.

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

The good news is you can have some ‘not so spooky’ fun at Disney throughout the months of September and October (with a few dates in August and November for good measure). To delight in the frightfully fun happenings and to create some boo-tiful memories, check out these five ways to celebrate Halloween at Disney.

1. Attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

This special ticket event at the Magic Kingdom is held multiple times each week, beginning in late August. Parties feature special meet n greets with costumed characters, a Halloween parade lead by the headless horseman, a spectacular fireworks show, dance parties and the best trick or treat spots.

2. Dress Up as a Family for the Party

You will see everything from family themed costumes to cute pumpkin embellished tee shirts. Check out my Disney Costume Pinterest Board for some great ideas.

3. Stay at The Campsites at Fort Wilderness and Go Trick or Treating

Campers at Fort Wilderness love to decorate their RVs and campsites and on Halloween Night guests of the Fort are invited to Trick or Treat with their neighbors.

4. Take a Wagon Ride and then head over to Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long

Also at Fort Wilderness, guests from every resort are invited to giddy up for an old-fashioned, horse-drawn wagon ride along along scenic trails. After your ride around the fort, enjoy ‘smores, cowboy songs and a movie under the stars at Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long.

5. Set Sail for Halloween on the High Seas

Special Halloween Party at Sea Sailings are offered from September through October aboard all of Disney Cruise Line’s fleet of ships. From traditional pumpkin carving to eerie campfire style storytelling to Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, including a dance party and trick or treating, Disney Cruise Line offers the ultimate spooky jubilee at sea!

Ready to plan a 2019 Fall or Halloween Trip to Disney World or on Disney Cruise Line? Let’s connect today!

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

Your family will be making many decisions during the planning process – from the time of year to visit to resort choice to which rides and attractions are a priority for your unique group. All of these are important decisions and will help you put together a solid plan for your trip.

Once you arrive at Walt Disney World you should relax and enjoy creating memories to last a lifetime, to be sure those memories stay magical, keep these tips in mind.

Go to the parks early!

…at least some of the time. If you have young children who naturally are early risers, take advantage of early morning park touring. Whenever you visit, even during busy times, you’ll be ahead of the crowds and will get more accomplished first thing in the morning.

Book Advanced Dining Reservations

Disney allows resort guests to book their table service restaurants 180 days (six months) in advance. Taking advantage of the ADR booking window will save you time and effort while on your vacation.

Utilize Disney’s FastPass+ option

Select up to three FastPass+ attractions or rides and reserve them for each ticketed day on your trip.

Remember this is your first trip to Disney, not your last

Even if you think this may be your only trip to Disney, plan it like you’ll be back one day. There’s just no way to do ‘everything’, so prioritize and resist the urge to try and plan too much into your trip.

Stop and enjoy the magic!

Give yourself enough wiggle room to get from one place to another with time to stop and have spontaneous fun along the way. There’s magic around every corner – from street performers to sidewalk art to dance parties – enjoy more of your trip by soaking up the little things.

Bonus Tip:

For a seamless trip, enlist the services of a true expert, someone who specializes in Disney vacations. An excellent travel advisor will make recommendations that are best for your unique family. For tried and true tips, plus her best Disney advice, Penny Cooper with Embrace the Magic Travel has a passion to help you plan an unforgettable Disney vacation for your family.

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

2019 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates

• August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
• September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
• October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
• November 1

My family loves this party! We particularly enjoy seeing the Magic Kingdom decked out with the fall decorations and trick or treating throughout the park. My son always looks forward to collecting the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom party card too.

The Magic Kingdom closes at 7 pm on party nights and guests need the MNSSHParty tickets to enjoy the festivities. Special features of the party include a spook-tastic parade and an eerie extravaganza of fireworks. These Guest favorites are also returning “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” and “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks.

Headed to the party this year? Check out my Top Party Tips + Sample Itinerary for the night!

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

Looking for the best value for your next Disney vacation?

At any given time, Walt Disney World may be offering from 10-15 different promotions or discounts for their packages and room only reservations. The best way to find the right one for your trip is to compare them all. As a family travel advisor, I always review all of the offers for my Disney clients to be sure they have the best value for their trip – planning your vacation should be fun and worry-free!

Often Disney has “secret” deals, these are exclusive promotions/discounts only available to a select group of people. I recommend you always check to see if a Unique Offer Code or a Bounceback offer is applicable for your next trip.

The only way to book the Bounceback promotion is by staying in a Disney World Resort. Interested? Message me for the best ideas on how this could benefit your family…

A few more details…

The 2019 Bounceback OFFER IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING

This room only discount is available to be booked by guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort from 10/23/2018 – 08/15/2019.

WHEN

Dates:

• Select Dates in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and December

WHAT

• 25-30% off Deluxe Resorts
• 20-25% off Moderate Resorts
• 15-20% off Value Resorts

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 2-night stay
• Excludes Little Mermaid rooms at AoA, Fort Wilderness (campsites) BLT, Villas of GF, Cabins at Copper Creek and 3 bedroom villas.
• $200 deposit required BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT at 11 am on your last day. We can book as early as your check-in day.
• Must be currently staying at a WDW resort to book.

Ready to plan a 2018 OR 2019 Trip? Let’s connect!

Already booked your trip on your own? Ask about my planning services and about how you can take advantage of the 2019 discount too!

PirateMomPenny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

Today, your family can enjoy one of two exciting Walt Disney World® offers, including the popular “Free Dining” offer! The early availability of these offers will make it even easier for you to make your family’s Disney vacation dreams a reality in 2019, and help kick off the new year with a bang.

Offers available beginning today include:

°O° This Spring and Summer, Save up to 30% on Rooms at Select Disney Resort Hotels: Your family can enjoy sun, fun and savings when they stay in the middle of the magic at Walt Disney World Resort! For select dates April 28, 2019 through September 30, 2019.

°O° Enjoy a Delicious Offer at Walt Disney World Resort: Your family can get a FREE dining plan when they purchase a 5-night/6-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper® Option or Park Hopper® Plus Option for arrivals July 5-Sept. 30, 2019.

Ready to plan a 2019 Trip? Let’s chat!

Meet Penny Cooper …

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family)and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

Walt Disney World in 2019

Of course, 2019 brings the promised land of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, but there’s so much more in store! Beginning in January, anticipate new dance parties, new character meet and greets, and new entertainment …

Love Mickey and Minnie Mouse? Want to get wild with “The Lion King”? Feel like playing with your Pixar pals? Or maybe you’d like to see a concert every night? All this and more will be waiting for your family next year. Here’s a glance at new and limited-time experiences to look forward to in 2019 at Walt Disney World!

©Disney

Now, more than ever, it’s time to start planning your family’s 2019 Walt Disney World® vacation. Because there will be more to see, do, taste and experience here next year than ever before. Whatever your passion for Disney, there’s a big dose of pixie dust waiting for your family at all four parks.

Magic Kingdom

• Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration will bring new music, dancing and all sorts of other fun to Magic Kingdom® Park.
• Dance with Mickey, Minnie and their pals in front of Cinderella Castle during the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party” at Magic Kingdom® Park, featuring live singers belting out new arrangements of classic “Mickey Mouse Club” songs.
• The Dapper Dans and other entertainers on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom will sing songs in honor of Mickey.
• Look for special Mickey- and Minnie-themed merchandise and food at Magic Kingdom to make this party complete.

Disney promises during this Surprise Celebration families can expect more Limited-Time Magic entertainment and other experiences to pop up periodically around Magic Kingdom.

©Disney

Hollywood Studios

• Pixar Avenue will transform into a Metroville city block and welcome The Incredibles to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®! Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone are throwing a party to celebrate.
• Meet the one and only Edna Mode – the greatest super suit designer! She will set up a special location on Pixar Avenue showcasing some of her best creations (no capes!).
• Show your #IncredibleSide along Pixar Avenue by striking a heroic pose in front of three-dimensional scenes straight out of Pixar Animation Studios’ Incredibles
• Also on Pixar Avenue, look for clues to the whereabouts of the youngest Incredible, the mischievous and multi-powered Jack-Jack.
• Elsewhere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a door to the monster world will open inside Walt Disney Presents, where you’ll have a chance to meet Mike and Sulley from Pixar’s Monsters Inc.
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy rolls into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in spring 2019. Ka-Chow! In this new show experience, you’ll come face to face with Lightning and learn from his years of experience on the track.
  Also at the Racing Academy, you’ll get to meet  Cruz Ramirez, Lightning McQueen’s speedy pal.

©Disney

Animal Kingdom

• Celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® along with Timon and Rafiki in the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party” on Discovery Island. Let your inner animal roam free on the dance floor in this raucous party!
• Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, have fun posing in front of special three-dimensional photo opportunities re-creating scenes from the animated classic.

EPCOT

• The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is back! This year’s special event takes place Jan. 18 – Feb. 25, allowing you to indulge in world-class culinary and visual arts.
• The Disney on Broadway concert series is expanding to seven days a week during the Festival of the Arts, so you’ll have even more opportunities to experience some Disney musical magic live on stage.
• Welcome spring’s arrival with the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival, returning March 6 – June 3 with its wide selection of delectable bites at outdoor kitchens and dozens of Disney-themed topiaries blooming around the park.
• Even better, this year’s Garden Rocks concert series expands, as well, to seven days a week during the Flower & Garden Festival, which means a total of 270 concerts over the course of the 90-day event.
• Wish a fond farewell to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth – the nighttime spectacular at Epcot – before its conclusion scheduled for the end of summer 2019.

 

Now, more than ever, you’ll want to be here for it all, so don’t wait to book your vacation! To learn more visit EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com or request a quote:

[contact-form]

Celebrating our first Disney trip!

Penny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.

Ready to plan your next fun vacation with Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks, Disney Cruise Line or Adventures By Disney? Travel to dazzling destinations that have inspired the magic of Disney and treat your family to once-in-a-lifetime experiences that prove all vacations are not created equal.

Check out these limited offers for your best vacation ever …

Play, Stay, Dine

Your family can kick off 2019 by getting the most value and excitement out of their Disney vacation! With this offer, a family of 4 can play, stay, dine and save up to $500 on a 5-night/6-day room, Magic Your Way ticket and dining plan package at a select Disney Resort hotel most nights January 1 through March 9, 2019.

Play, Stay, Dine Package Includes

• Room
• Theme park tickets
• Dining Plan (Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan with Value Resort hotel packages or Disney Dining Plan with Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort hotel packages)

Length of Stay Requirements

• Minimum – 3 nights
• Maximum – 14 nights

*For all the details, send a message below.

Walt Disney World Room Discount

A Walt Disney World vacation is the perfect holiday gift for loved ones to create memories that last a lifetime. Your family can cross another holiday present off their list and save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights January 1 through April 27, 2019.

With so many unique and exciting things for your family to discover at all 4 theme parks in the new year—NOW is the best time to book your 2019 getaway. When we add valid theme park admission to this room offer, you’ll be able to play big in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, soak up a variety of new, limited-time experiences at Magic Kingdom park and explore the ultimate celebration of food, art and entertainment at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts

*For all the details, send a message below.

Disney Cruise Line On Board Credit

To celebrate Choose Cruise during the month of October, families booking through a CLIA member agency can enjoy a $100 onboard credit per stateroom on 7-night Caribbean cruises departing from Port Canaveral, Florida in April or May 2019 aboard Disney Fantasy.

• Valid for new bookings made October 1 – 31, 2018 only. Don’t delay, request a quote today!

*For all the details, send a message below.

Save On Select Adventures by Disney Vacations

Save up to $300 per person on select Adventures by Disney departures throughout the winter and spring seasons! Visit amazing destinations the world over when you book your land or Short Escape adventure through March 15, 2019. These special rates are limited, so be sure to book soon!

*For all the details, send a message below.

Create a lifetime of memories with one of these special offers. Work with a family travel expert:

[contact-form]

PirateMomPenny enjoys helping others plan their Disney vacations (click to find out how she can help your family) and writing about how her family enjoys their Disney vacations at ScoutingWDW.com, TheDisneyMoms.com, and EmbraceTheMagicTravel.com.

Born and raised in the south, I now live in central New Jersey. My days are filled with homeschooling, reading, and ministry work. My son and I are active members of our local church and enjoy camping with the Boy Scouts of America.

We believe every day is a day to celebrate and if you visit our kitchen, you will find us putting sprinkles on everything from pancakes to ice cream! Between baseball games and scouting trips, we enjoy dreaming about our next Disney vacation.