Wordless Wednesday ~ C isn't just for cookie in Disney.. :)

Today's Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop's theme is

The Letter C

C isn't just for cookie in the Disney World... :) 

C is for... 

Captain Hook

The 3 CABALLEROS

China Pavillion

Funnel CAKE

CHIP!! :) 

Coronado Springs Resort

Clock

 Coca Cola

Cupcakes!! :)

Christmas... Disney style!! My favorite Downtown Disney shopping location!

Chicken Wings from 'Ohana

Carousel Rides

 Charming... in a Coach!!

 Chipmunks :) Chip & Dale

 Christmas stockings in Mickey's House... I miss ToonTown!

Cinderella's Castle... at Christmastime

 A Cruise ship! Well, kind of... 

 Cupcake creations :) 

Cinderella... can't have a Disney letter C theme without her!! 

Thank you to Focused on the Magic for hosting this Blog Hop!! :) 

Have a MAGICAL day!! 

~~Chrissie~~

PS... don't forget about our Pirates and Pixie Dust Vacations summer Birthday Wish... For every Disney vacation booked during Summer 2012 a percentage of my commission will be donated to St. Baldrick's Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research!!

Tuesday Trivia!

Today's Tuesday Trivia Topic is:

The Walt Disney World Monorail System!

Did you know:

~~The Disney World Monorail System is the most heavily used monorail system in the world.

~~The Walt Disney World Monorail operates over a span of 14.7 miles (23.7 km), with around 50 million Disney guests traveling on the monorail each year

~~The monorail system is one of the most expensive rides at Disney

World. The double monorail tracks cost 1 million dollars a mile! When Disney bought the monorail trains years ago,

they cost 11 million each, and there are 7 of these original monorails. That's one expensive ride!

~~There are 12 monorail trains at Walt Disney World which start

circulating around at 5 am. 

~~These 12 trains are identified by their colors. The colors currently in use are: Red, Coral, Orange, Gold, Yellow, Teal, Lime, Green, Blue, Silver, Black and Peach

~~Purple and Pink monorails are currently retired!!

~~The track that spans from the TTC to Epcot Center is

at an average altitude of 21 feet.

~~The monorail's top speed is 55 mph, however they cruise at 40 mph.

~~Did you know that Space and Big Thunder Mountain only move at 26 mph?? I know, I know... that's really slow for a roller coaster. Do you know what this means for the Disney World Monorail?? This means that it was the fastest ride in Disney World until Test Track was installed in Epcot!! 

~~Prior to departure when the pilot closes the doors, an announcement asks guests to "Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas." This is one of the most known phrases around the Disney World Resort!!

Next time you're going to Magic Kingdom or Epcot or you're checking out the Deluxe Resorts on the Monorail line... remember to REALLY enjoy the ride!! :) 

Until you can get back to WDW and ride the ride... check out these monorail pictures!! 

Have a MAGICAL Day!! 

~Chrissie

Sunday Sweet and Disney Treats

When you go on your favorite Disney vacation do you have a 'must have' sweet or treat? 

I've always wanted to try the Mickey apples but no one in my family will share one with me and there's no way I can have one alone! Maybe on our next trip I can persuade someone to share with me!! 

What's your favorite Disney snack? Is there a Disney snack that you want to try but haven't yet?

Around the world in... ONE afternoon?!?!?!

I LOVE Magic Kingdom but almost as much as I LOVE Magic Kingdom, I love Epcot!! Where else can you travel around the world in one afternoon?!?!?! Walking the World Showcase is NOT something that should be skipped. I know, I know... but the kids will be bored. That's really not the case. Aside from the streetmosphere performers in every country there's the Epcot Kidcot stations in every country! Kids can stop and make crafts and get their Kidcot Passport stamped. Nope, there's no charge for the Kidcot stations. Can you say AWESOME FREE souven-ear for each child? :) Don't forget to see Mary Poppins in UK, Belle & The Beast in France, Mulan in China, Donald Duck in Mexico and more characters!! 

Did you know that there's also rides and shows in the countries? Yep, there are! The most popular rides are The Three Caballeros in Mexico & The Maelstrom in Norway. Stopping to see the Beatles Tribute Band in the UK section and the performers in Italy are good times! 

You can take the friendship boats across World Showcase Lagoon and get to either side of the American Pavillion which is right in the center of World Showcase or you can start at Mexico or Canada and work your way around!! Check out my pictures of my trip around the world that I took in one afternoon... 

I didn't take the Friendship Boats but this is what they look like. They're really convenient for strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs because you can just ride right on!! :) 

I started in Mexico! Yes, I went on The Three Caballeros ride!! :) And yes, I did have a Margarita! :) 

Ahhhh Norway, home of the Vikings... and The Maelstrom... and Akershus Princess Storybook Restaurant... and school bread... oh Norway, I love visiting you!

Ahhh China! Beautiful China! The Dragons, lanterns, performers and beautiful scenery are amazing!

Germany!! :) Home of Oktoberfest, Karamel Kuche, beer, and more!! 

Italia!! Wine, pasta, music, Murano... amazing!

The greatest nation in the world! America!! :) Right in the center of World Showcase!

Japan... sushi, beautiful flowers, bonsai trees, amazing architecture, Sake and Origami!

Morocco!! Belly dancing, couscous, beautiful tilework, amazing arches, henna and more!

France!! Escargot, Eiffel Tower, Ratatouille, Grey Goose Grand Marnier Slushies, beautiful music...

Ahhhh... the UK... Off Kilter... GO SEE THEM!! :) Beers, Rose & Crown, soccer and mor

Oh Canada! Canada 360, Le Cellier, beautiful buildings and more.. :) 

I hope you enjoyed just a few of my photos from My Afternoon Around the World and that you spend some time visiting these amazing 'countries' next time you're in Epcot!! :) 

Have a MAGICAL day!! 

With Happiness & Pixie Dust,

Chrissie

Magical Express... is it as MAGICAL as it sounds?

When you book a Disney World Vacation you have the option of adding ground transportation to your reservation. You can book a rental car though Disney, you can book a shuttle from the airport to Disney property or you can use Disney's COMPLIMENTARY Magical Express. This Magical Express Service provides door to door bus round trip transportation between Orlando International Airport & select resorts on Disney Property. Here's a list of the Disney property resorts that offer Magical Express service:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House & Kidani Village

Disney's Beach Club Resort & Disney's Beach Club Villas

Disney's Yacht Club Resort 

Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Disney's BoardWalk Villas

Disney's Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort 

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney's Old Key West Resort

Disney's Polynesian Resort

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney's Wilderness Lodge & The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort/Disney's All-Star Music Resort/Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Disney's Pop Century Resort

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Here's how it works:
In the weeks before your Disney World Vacation you will receive a booklet like this:

In it will be all sorts of information including a map of MCO (Orlando International Airport) so you know where to go when you land!!

Information on what you should be doing before you leave home, your flight information and arrival bus vouchers will also be included in the book along with return flight information. DO NOT REMOVE THESE FROM THE BOOKLET!!! You will also be receiving luggage tags that look like this:

Once you get the Magical Express documents open the envelope and ensure everything is correct. Don't lose this booklet! You will need it to board a Magical Express bus at the airport. :) 

Upon landing at Orlando International Airport, skip baggage claim and proceed to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center in the Main Terminal Building, B side, Level 1. If you have attached your Disney's Magical Express luggage tags to any of your checked bags... have no fear... Magical Express service will collect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Walt Disney World hotel room within 3 hours after you check in at the resort! Luggage delivery service provided by Disney's Magical Express is available for flights arriving between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm daily. For airport arrivals after 10:00 pm, Guests may collect their luggage at Baggage Claim and transport it with them on the motorcoach. If you're not sure you want to wait that long or if you are worried about your bags you can skip putting the luggage tags on your checked bags and retrieve them from Baggage Claim yourself and transport them to the bus. There's room in the luggage hold compartments of the buses for your bags, strollers, car seats... don't worry... everything can fit on the bus without cramming you in your seats! 


A note for any International Disney Guests flying into Orlando International Airport... you must follow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection process and claim your luggage after disembarking the plane. After completing the process, proceed to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center in the Main Terminal Building, B side, Level 1. Disney's Magical Express service will recollect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Walt Disney World hotel room within 4 hours after you check in at the resort. Luggage delivery service provided by Disney's Magical Express is available for flights arriving between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm daily. For airport arrivals after 10:00 pm, Guests may collect their luggage at Baggage Claim and transport it with them on the motorcoach. :) Just wanted to make sure any of our international readers took note of that!! :) 

Your Disney Magical Express Bus will look like this:

Yep, it's even fun on the back!! :) 

Your ride is full of fun! Your Disney Vacation has officially begun when you step onto your bus! From the Mickey head upholstered seats to the GPS played video that you watch full of Disney information and ideas starring Mickey and friends it's a great start to your trip! 

Once you reach your Resort Destination you will hop off the bus into your resort! Don't forget to collect any baggage that you had placed underneath in the luggage compartment! :)

As your Disney vacation comes to a close, you will receive an envelope like this hanging on your doorknob:

It will include a letter with your Disney's Magical Express information for your departure day. Your bus typically picks you up at your resort 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. International guests, you get picked up about 4 hours before your departure time!! Bring this letter with you to the bus stop! :)

Another feature that Disney World is now offering is airline check in for many airlines right at your resort if you're flying domestically on select airlines!! You will receive your return boarding pass and check luggage at your Walt Disney World hotel, bypassing airport check-in completely. All you have to do is visit the Resort Airline Check-In Desk located at your Walt Disney World resort up to 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. Yes, you can check your luggage at the resort as well up to a certain time of day! A valid government issued photo I.D. and your hotel room key are required to check in at your resort. Here's a list of airlines that participate in Disney Resort Airline Check-In:

AirTran Airways

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

Delta Air Lines

JetBlue Airways

Southwest Airlines

United Airlines

US Airways

I used both Disney's Magical Express and Disney's Airline Resort Check-In and I loved it! It was so nice to get to the airport, get on a bus and have my vacation start the minute I sat down!! :) The whole process was seamless and it was so nice not to have to read a map to get somewhere or pay $50 to share a shuttle bus with other people!! 

I will admit, I have had luggage lost by an airline a couple of times so I'm one of those nervous people who doesn't use the Magical Express luggage tags. I did collect my own bag and brought it with me to the bus. I know, some of you will think I'm crazy but at least I'm not so crazy that I packed my bag like this...

LOL Yep, this is an actual bag wrapped in Saran Wrap coming off of the flight into Orlando. It's actually one of 3 bags wrapped just like it! I couldn't not get a picture... no matter how much fun my husband makes of me that I'd trust anything Disney does so how could I not just check my bags... Honey, have no fear... I'm NOT this worried about my luggage!! :) 

Wherever you're going and however you're getting there... I hope you have a MAGICAL Day!! 

Hugs & Pixie Dust,

Chrissie