MouseChat.net – Disney News & Reviews

Before the new Disney World Fastpass system you had to race walk to Toy Story Midway Mania or to Star Wars Jedi Training.  Now you can just book these online using the My Disney Experience App. With Disney Fastpass+ you can book your Disney Hollywood Studios in advance.  The Fastpasses are in a tiered system. Disney Hollywood Studios Fastpass Tier 1 Toy Story Midway Mania Rockin Roller coaster The Great Movie Ride Fantasmic The Beauty and the Beast Show Disney Hollywood Studios Fastpass Tier 2   Star Tours Tower of Terror Disney JR Live on stage Frozen Singalong Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular Muppets 3D Voyage of the Little Mermaid You get to pick ONE from Tier 1 and TWO from Tier 2. Fastpass Tip for Disney Hollywood Studios: If you are going on Disney Hollywood Studios the best all family attraction is Toy Story Midway Mania and this is a great fastpass selection. Also, Rockin Roller Coaster does have a single rider line which is a great way to avoid the long line at this attraction. Fantasmic is a nice fastpasss option, but remeber that you can not sign up for any additional fastpasses until you use your 3rd booked fastpass.  So if you have booked Fantasmic as a fastpass you are not able to book more fastpasses until after Fantasmic ends, and then the park is closing.   We are meeting up at Walt Disney World December 3. :) We can't wait to see you so please sign up for the Mouse Chat Meet Up (http://mousechatdisney2016.eventzilla.net) here, It's Free. Follow us and meet other Mouse Chatters Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mouse Chat Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MouseChat.net) Mouse Chat Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mousechat/) Mouse Chat Twitter (https://twitter.com/MouseChat) We would love to hear from you. Is there something you want to know about Mouse Chat? Please leave a comment.   Please join us by listening to our show at MouseChat.net or by downloading and subscribing to Mouse Chat on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mousechat-net-a-weekly-disney/id395503030?uo=4). If you subscribe to our Disney Podcast on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mousechat-net-a-weekly-disney/id395503030?uo=4) you can schedule it to update your player so you will never miss a show.

We spent four days walking around World Showcase and trying food and wine from all the different countries.  So far, this is my favorite item from Food and Wine. It's the hard soda and ice cream float. What are you looking forward to? We are meeting up at Walt Disney World December 3. :) We can't wait to see you so please sign up for the Mouse Chat Meet Up (http://mousechatdisney2016.eventzilla.net) here, It's Free. Follow us and meet other Mouse Chatters Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mouse Chat Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MouseChat.net) Mouse Chat Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mousechat/) Mouse Chat Twitter (https://twitter.com/MouseChat) We would love to hear from you. Is there something you want to know about Mouse Chat? Please leave a comment.   Please join us by listening to our show at MouseChat.net or by downloading and subscribing to Mouse Chat on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mousechat-net-a-weekly-disney/id395503030?uo=4). If you subscribe to our Disney Podcast on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mousechat-net-a-weekly-disney/id395503030?uo=4) you can schedule it to update your player so you will never miss a show.

Mouse Chat Disney News The Main Street Electrical Parade has left Walt Disney World.  No new Magic Kingdom parade has not been announced yet.Next Fall a new wine bar will open in Disney Springs, Wine Bar George will seat over 250 people at this new mega wine bar. We are meeting up at Walt Disney World December 3. :) We can't wait to see you so please sign up for the Mouse Chat Meet Up (http://mousechatdisney2016.eventzilla.net) here, It's Free. Follow us and meet other Mouse Chatters Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mouse Chat Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MouseChat.net) Mouse Chat Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mousechat/) Mouse Chat Twitter (https://twitter.com/MouseChat) We would love to hear from you. Is there something you want to know about Mouse Chat? Please leave a comment.   Please join us by listening to our show at MouseChat.net or by downloading and subscribing to Mouse Chat on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mousechat-net-a-weekly-disney/id395503030?uo=4). If you subscribe to our Disney Podcast on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mousechat-net-a-weekly-disney/id395503030?uo=4) you can schedule it to update your player so you will never miss a show.

If you are planning a Disney World vacation, please make sure you listen to this Mouse Chat Disney Podcast.  We cover Disney's Port Orleans French Qtr (Disney Moderate Resort) and we also review Disney's Saratogo Springs Resort (Disney Deluxe Villa Resort). Disney Port Orleans French Quarter Review   French Quarter is one of our favorite Walt Disney World moderate resorts.  French Quarter is one of the smaller Walt Disney World resorts so it has just one bus stop.  This is nice for going to the Disney parks and coming back home late at night.  At other Disney moderate resorts you might find yourself going from bus stop to bus stop waiting to get to your stop.  The room are a nice size at Disney World moderate resorts and the New Orleans theme at this resort I love.  The walkways are covered with oak trees and fountains and gardens are just moments away as you walk to the main building lobby area.  The pool at Port Orleans French Quarter is beautiful with a dragon slide and a splash area also for the smaller kids.  There is a pool bar and hot tub too for adults. Please listen to the full Mouse Chat Disney Podcast for our full Disney French Quarter Resort review. French Quarter can be difficult to book, as the resort books up fast and can be hard to get a discount at.  If you are looking to book Disney's French Quarter resort please contact a Pixie at Pixie Vacations and remember you can request a Mouse Chatter from the show to help you plan your Disney World vacation. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort Review   Saratogo Springs is a Disney World Deluxe Villa resort located next to Disney Springs.  The resort is more of a condo layout with buildings spread out over a Disney golf course.  If you are look for rooms with a lot of space, this is a good choice for a on property Disney resort.  Also you can get anything from a studio to a grand villa or even a tree house villa at this resort.  The 1 bedrooms come with a full kitchen, washer and dryer and these are like a small residence.  Saratogo Springs has two large pools and other quiet pools on the spacious grounds.  The large pool has the longest water slide at Walt Disney World.  If you like to work out the gym at Saratogo Springs is almost the size of a commercial gym and there are plenty of places to run or walk outside.  This is also a DVC property but rooms can be booked here at Pixie Vacations with cash too. Location is key at this resort and also we recommend having a car if you stay at this Disney World Resort.  Bus transportation can be hit or miss at this resort, meaning the buses can be crowded during popular seasons and depending on your bus stop you might be on the bus for awhile. We give this resort mixed reviews.  Sharpie and Chris both give Saratoga Springs high praise while Lauren did not care for the resort.  So please listen to our Mouse Chat Podcast for each of our personal reviews and pros and cons.   We are meeting up at Walt Disney World December 3. :) We can't wait to see you so please sign up for the Mouse Chat Meet Up (http://mousechatdisney2016.eventzilla.net) here, It's Free. Follow us and meet other Mouse Chatters Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mouse Chat Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MouseChat.net) Mouse Chat Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mousechat/) Mouse Chat Twitter (https://twitter.com/MouseChat) We would love to hear from you.

  Liberty Tree Tavern Restaurant Review Location: Magic Kingdom The service at Liberty Tree Tavern was really good and the restaurant has a nice family feel.  Liberty Tree Tavern is family style so everything comes to the table to share. The food was average and similar to what you might get at Thanksgiving at home if your granda makes Thanksgiving out of a box from the freezer section.  Some items we enjoyed but many we did not, please listen to the Mouse Chat podcast for details. Overall there are many better locations to spend a Disney Dining Table Service credit if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, or to spend cash at if you are paying out of pocket.  If you are paying out of pocket for dinner we would recommend The Plaza on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. Rating: 4 out of 10 - Chris 7 out of 10 for Lauren (she liked the Mac n Cheese) Alternatives: We would recommend Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom instead of Liberty Tree Tavern. Chef Art Smith Homecoming Kitchen Review Location: Disney Springs If you are looking for fantastic southern food, Florida Cracker Style, you found it.  This is real Southern Cooking and it is really good.  We loved the atmosphere, it was bright and airy.  We went for dinner and the service was wonderful.  Disney Springs has so many dining options now and we loved Homecoming kitchen.  We ordered sandwiches and burgers ($15 - $18) which was very affordable.  They do have more expensive entrees that sounded great.  This is not a bad restaurant to pay cash for instead of using the Disney Dining Plan.  This is affordable dining at Disney Springs and a welcome addition.  There is even outdoor seating and it's very cute.  Please listen to our Mouse Chat episode for the full Chef Art Smith Homecoming Kitchen Review. Rating: 7 out of 10 for Chris 8 out of 10 for Lauren   Tutto Italia Review Location: Epcot - Italy pavilion We have been past Tutto Italia many times on our way to to Via Nappoli and this time we booked dinner at Tutto Italia, TWICE.  We had dinner at Tutto Italia two dinner nights and both nights we had great service and wonderful meals.  I would say, don't order the steak.  This is an Italian restaurant and the Italian dishes and fish we all loved.  The steak was not great for the price point and three different people over the two different dinners tried the steak.  The steak was average. Rating: 10 out of 10 for Chris 9 out of 10 for Lauren   Sanna Restaurant Review Location: Disney's Animal Kingdom Kadani Village Sanna is an Indian inspired restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Kadani Village Resort.  The resort is stunning and a great way to spend an evening.  Sanna is located on the ground level and has a nice view of the Savanna and you can also walk out to the Sanna viewing areas to cap off your evening.  Everyone in our party loved dining at Sanna and will be back.  For our full review of Sanna appetizers and meals, please listen to our Mouse Chat episode. Rating: 8 out of 10 for Chris 10 out of 10 for Lauren     We are meeting up at Walt Disney World December 3. :) We can't wait to see you so please sign up for the Mouse Chat Meet Up (http://mousechatdisney2016.eventzilla.net) here, It's Free. Follow us and meet other Mouse Chatters Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Beaches Negril Resort. Photo by: Pixie Honeymoons Beaches All-Inclusive Resorts Review Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos Reviewed Beaches is an all-inclusive resort for families, groups, and couples. If you have been on a cruise, Beaches Resorts are like a cruise ship on land, with endless activities, food is included.  Unlike a cruise vacation even drinks are included.  If you want to teach your kids to golf, golf lessons are included too at Beaches Ocho Rios.  WOW, that’s impressive! We were to Beaches Ocho Rios and Beaches Negril.  Both Beaches Resorts are in Jamaica.  We also cover Beaches in Turks & Caicos briefly on this show and will be traveling to Beaches Turks & Caicos in 2017 to give you a full review. Beaches Ocho Rios Resort Review     Beaches Ocho Rios is in the heart of Jamaica.  There are loads of other excursions and sites in Ocho Rios so if you are looking to explore outside the all-inclusive resort, you have lots of options.  There are only 223 rooms at Beaches Ocho Rios and they are on 22 acres.  We liked Beaches Ocho Rios but we had the advantage to visit all the Sandals and Beaches Resorts so of course we have our personal favorites.  We liked Beaches Negril more because it’s on Jamaica’s famous seven mile beach and we liked the layout of Beaches Negril more.  But this is just our personal preference and Beaches Ocho Rios has it’s own advantages.  Again the location for Beaches Ocho Rios is great for excursions like the Dolphin Encounter and Dunn River Falls.  Both are very close to the resort.  Beaches Ocho Rios is 2 hours and 15 minutes from MBJ airport and there is a free Beaches Shuttle.   Beaches Ocho Rios has a waterpark with 11 slides.  A big advantage to Beaches Ocho Rios resort is the golf course.  Greens fees, transfers and golf clinics for kids are included!  That’s amazing!  So if you love to golf and want to get your kids into golfing, what better way that a vacation to Jamaica with free golf lessons. Beaches Ocho Rios has 7 gourmet restaurants, VIK Kids Camp, an assortment of concierge suites and the new La Parisienne French restaurant is now open. Beaches Negril Review Beaches Negril is on the famous 7-mile beach in Jamaica and it is just 75 minutes from Jamaica’s MBJ airport on Beaches included transfers.  The resort is a nice size with 186 rooms and the Beaches resort layout is very nice.  The resort sits on the widest stretch of Jamaica’s 7 mile beach and has 9 gourmet restaurants.  We loved the feel of Beaches Negril.  Walking around the property puts you in a tropical paradise dotted with restaurants and outdoor seating, pools, cabanas and an amazing waterpark.  The waterpark at Beaches Negril has 8 slides and a lazy river. We experienced the new Mariachi restraunt and also there is a new discovery dome with Sesame Street that immerses you in a 360 movie.  The kids pool area even has mini lounge chairs!  This resort is our top Beaches resort pic for Jamaica. Please listen to our podcast for the full review of Beaches Resorts. To book Beaches Resorts To book an all-inclusive vacation, honeymoon, or wedding, we recommend Pixie Honeymoons. You can read all-inclusive resort reviews, look at resort photo galleries, and work with a Pixie at Pixie Honeymoons to help you pick the perfect all-inclus...

Skip the line, Disney Fastpass Strategies for EPCOT Fastpasses are key to your Disney World vacation and Disney is constantly chasing how Fastpasses work and which rides and attractions have fastpasses.  Epcot has some new rides and also a tiered fastpass setup which makes this Disney park different than the Magic Kingdom.  The Epcot fastpass system has two tiers.  Tier one fastpasses are your E Ticket rides that everyone wants and you only get to pick one tier 1 fastpass at EPCOT.  Tier 2 fastpasses are you lessor rides and attractions at Epcot and you get to pick two fastpass tier 2 level fastpasses. There are several different ways to plan your Disney Epcot fastpasses.  On this weeks Mouse Chat podcast we cover all the different ways to best use your Epcot fastpasses. We have tested these fastpass strategies over this Summer.  Chris got to Epcot at rope drop so she could ride Frozen without a fastpass and got on the ride first thing with no wait.  This allowed Chris to use her tier 1 Epcot fastpass for something else. Lauren also went to Epcot and tried a few fast pass strategies.  We also recommend some options for fastpasses for families with kids going to Epcot.  Also we cover fastpasses in multiple Disney World parks and how to add additional fastpasses to your My Disney Experience when you are in the park. To hear all of our Fastpass Tips, please listen to our Mouse Chat podcast here on this page or on iTunes. We would love to help you plan a vacation.  It’s free to use our services and we will work with you on your Disney Vacation, Cruise, Wedding, All-inclusive, group trips, European Vacations, etc. Please write that you heard about us on Mouse Chat in the comment, submit a vacation quote request here. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mouse Chat Facebook Mouse Chat Instagram Mouse Chat Twitter We would love to hear from you. Is there something you want to know about Mouse Chat? Please leave a comment. Get Free Mouse Chat Swag We would love to send all Mouse Chatters some Mouse Chat swag but we only have so much to go around. Please post a comment, tip, review, or just join in the conversation below in the Comments section at the bottom of this podcast page. We will pick one comment a week and announce it on Mouse Chat and send you some cool Mouse Chat swag sure to impress your friends. How to contact us at Mouse Chat: You can post questions and comments to the show below in the show comments or on our Mouse Chat Facebook page. Media and Press can also contact us at Comments@MouseChat.net If you like our show, please let your friends know about us. Please join us by listening to our show at MouseChat.net or by downloading and subscribing to Mouse Chat on iTunes. If you subscribe to our Disney Podcast on iTunes you can schedule it to update your player so you will never miss a show.

Should you plan a Summer Disney World Vacation? Disney World in the Summer has some surprising changes   * Disney World Dining at hard to get Disney World restaurants has actually been easier to get during the Summer.  So you can experience the best Disney World Restaurants now during a Summer vacation.  This also goes for Disney FastPasses.  With just three weeks notice before our Summer vacation to Walt Disney World we got all the FastPass+ reservation we wanted.  Normally these are booked up 60 days in advance. We are not sure if every Summer going forward will still have low Disney World crowd levels in the parks, but right now it seems to be the trend.  So take advantage of this in 2017 and plan a Disney World Summer vacation. * Brazilian tour groups seem to be non existent.  There were no large tour groups of 75 kids this year in July and August.  There are small groups of kids but they are not loud and they have been polite in line.  With the Olympics this year park attendance at Disney is very light.  We expect Brazilian tour groups to pick up next Summer but not by much.  Brazil’s economy is not doing well and this could affect the tour groups in 2017. * Summer at Walt Disney World is hot, but the parks at Disney World are open longer.  You can go to the Disney parks when they open, take a break during the hot mid day hours and come back at night.  This allows you to enjoy your resort and escape the heat.  Also with shorter Summer Disney World lines, you can get in loads of rides.  Also remember each day it usually rains for an hour or so in the afternoon in Florida during the Summer.  So prepare for Summer showers at Disney World. * Avoid the heat at Disney World During the Summer.  The Disney water parks or your Disney resort pool are great options at Disney World during the Summer.  It’s too cold other times of the year to enjoy the Disney Water Parks and Resort pools.  The lines at the Disney Water Parks are also not bad and it’s very enjoyable.  Be sure to ask about adding the Disney Water Park Fun and More option to your park tickets to save some money.   We are meeting up at Walt Disney World December 3. 

Disney News to help you plan your Disney vacation Planning a Disney Vacation?  Here is the latest Disney news to help you plan.   Here is your quick Disney World and Disneyland news to get you caught up on what’s coming and going at Disney’s theme parks. Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade is going away, last night is October 9, 2016.  Also the Disneyland Paint the Night Parade is ending.  We will be at Walt Disney World for the Main Street Electrical Parade so we can Facebook Live it for you. Our Mouse Chat meet up in December 3, 2016 we will be meeting at EPCOT at 11 AM Sign up for the Mouse Chat Meet Up here, It’s Free. There is a private DVC member meet up in September at Animal Kingdom at night.  This DVC meet up is four nights and we will be attending one of the nights.  We don’t know what the Animal Kingdom meet up is for, but we are hoping it is River of Light at Animal Kingdom.  We will be there Sept 13th and fingers crossed we will get to see River of Light. Follow us and meet other Mouse Chatters Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mouse Chat Facebook Mouse Chat Instagram Mouse Chat Twitter We would love to hear from you. Is there something you want to know about Mouse Chat? Please leave a comment.   Please join us by listening to our show at MouseChat.net or by downloading and subscribing to Mouse Chat on iTunes. If you subscribe to our Disney Podcast on iTunes you can schedule it to update your player so you will never miss a show.

Sandals Resorts Review Mouse Chat is in Jamaica Mon and we are at Sandals Mouse Chat loves Disney but they let us into Jamaica at Sandals and Beaches Resorts for a full week.  We stayed and played at 10 Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Lauren and Lisa also went to St. Lucia and Barbados. So if you are looking for a Caribbean All Inclusive resort for a honeymoon, wedding or just an all-inclusive resort vacation, this is the mouse chat podcast for you.  Please listen to our Sandals Resorts Review podcast below, it has a full hour of travel tips, and all-inclusive vacation advice for the Sandals Resorts in Jamaica. We will of course stay Disney, Orlando, Universal Studios, focused on Mouse Chat so please listen to our other Podcasts for our normal Disney and Family vacation news. Club MoBay Review When flying into Jamaica you can arrive the traditional way or get VIP treatment with Club MoBay.  I was leery about paying for this service as I travel internationally all the time and have been in airport lounges in Australia, Paris, NY, etc.  I was presently surprised by Club MoBay.  Here is my Club Mobay review. Jamaica TIP:  Club MoBay is your Fastpass into and out of Jamaica.  It’s worth the price! When you arrive in Jamaica, we came into Montego Bay, the immigration process is lengthy and very time consuming.  Also the customs process can have long lines.  But our experience was excellent because we had signed up for Club MoBay.  When you come off of your flight our Club MoBay representative was there with a sign waiting for us.  She greeted us and welcomed us to Jamaica and we were off to Imaginations. What’s really nice about Club MoBay is that they have a VIP express line for immagrations.  This is a separate line that had just two couples in line ahead of us.  The standard immigration line into Jamaica was over an hour long and can go up to several hours long.  We were past immigration in a matter of minutes using Club MoBay on the day we came in. Also our Club MoBay lady helped us get our bags and then pushed them to customs where again we had our own VIP Club MoBay line to by-pass the normal customs line in Jamaica. We then were taken to the private Club MoBay lounge which is a nice way to relax, check your emails on the free WIFI, have a drink and some sliders.  Everything is free and included in your Club MoBay arrival service.  We all enjoyed an early lunch and some drinks and caught up on emails and Facebook while waiting for our Sandals shuttle to arrive. The return home service using Club Mobay is just as nice and I also think work paying for.  The lounge at the terminal at Montego Bay was the nicest lounge I have been in and I have been in some really nice airport lounges.  Drinks, coffee, food, waiters, entertainment, etc is all included.  It’s basically all-inclusive and I loved that. How to book Club Mobay: You can book Club Mobay for your arrival or arrival and departure.  We liked both arrival and departure but if you want to save some money I would defiantly do it for arrival into Jamaica.  There is also a Club MoBay in Kingston which also gets rave reviews. To book Club Mobay for your trip to Jamaica please contact Pixie Honeymoons.  They have used the service personally and can book Club Mobay with your all-inclusive vacation package or any vacation you are planning to Jamaica. Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts Review After arriving in Jamaica we toured all the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts.  For this podcast we cover the Sandals All Inclusive resorts in Montego Bay in Jamaica. We have been to all the Sandals resorts in Jamaica and will do more Caribbean all inclusive Sandals podcasts with our tips and advice.

Walt Disney World Trip Report Epcot Frozen Ride, SoarIn Over the World, Animal Kingdom new nighttime events…. Lauren and Chris are back from Walt Disney World and they have gone to see and report back on everything new as we enter Fall 2016. There is so much new at Walt Disney World this year, from Disney Springs offering all sorts of new restaurants, shops, and entertainment, to EPCOT’s new Frozen ride and Soarin Over The World Attraction.  Disney Hollywood Studios lights up the night with a Star Wars themed nighttime fireworks show that is amazing, as well as a Star Wars dessert party.  Animal Kingdom has a new full service sit down restaurant, Tiffins, a show on the Tree of Life, night time safaris, and River of Lights that is scheduled to start soon. Mouse Chat Meet Up at EPCOT December 3, 2016 11 AM at EPCOT It’s that time!!! Time for the Annual Mouse Chat Disney World Meet Up.

Lynn Barron gives us the dirt, on Disneyland Lynn worked at the Disneyland custodial department for ten years and shares his fun and spooky stories with us. Lynn worked at Disneyland in custodial for over ten years.  The freedom allowed him to meet guests from all over the world and create magical moments for families.  Disney custodial was enjoyable because you got to work so many different areas, Lynn says.  At Disneyland Attractions you just ask how many, over and over and don’t get to spend time with the guests. Lynn’s boss got to meet Walt Disney himself.  The story is pretty short, but it makes it that much more entertaining.  Lynn also had a few brushes with fame as he met celebrities sometimes at Disneyland while just doing his job. You have to listen to our full show to hear the haunted mansion story that Lynn tells about adding more than 999 happy haunts. There is also an awesome Disneyland ghost story. You can read all the great stories in Lynn’s book that he co-wrote: Cleaning The Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt’s Dream Spotless Lynn also has a podcast The Sweep Spot that you can listen to for all the latest Disneyland “dirt”   Mouse Chat Meet Up at EPCOT It’s that time!!! Time for the Annual Mouse Chat Disney World Meet Up.

You can do Walt Disney World on the cheap We were all young, broke, and nerdy at one time and did Walt Disney World on the cheap I use to live about an hour and a half from Walt Disney World in Sarasota Florida when I was in high school and sometimes I would drive to Walt Disney World in my car with my friends.  I spent many nights sleeping in my car behind the Arby’s on I-Drive in Orlando.  When I did have money we would get a group of friends together and all go in on a hotel room and enjoy the Disney Village which is now Disney Springs. You don’t have to sleep in your car to do Disney on the cheap now that Walt Disney World has Value Resorts.  You can stay on Disney property in a value resort room for $125 – $150 a night and when you split that with friends it becomes very do-able.  It’s also much safer than sleeping in your car like I did.  The advantage of the Walt Disney World Value resort is that it also includes all your transportation.  So you are not paying to park at the resort or at the Disney parks.  Also if you fly into Orlando FL., you get Disney’s Magical Express to and from the Orlando airport for FREE.  I like Free! Listen to this weeks Mouse Chat podcast.  We cover where to stay, what to eat, and what to do to save at Walt Disney World.     Mouse Chat Meet Up at EPCOT It’s that time!!! Time for the Annual Mouse Chat Disney World Meet Up.

How Disneyland differs from Walt Disney World We grew up with Walt Disney World as our main park.  So how does a trip to Disneyland compare? *  At Disneyland you can walk to everything!  You literally can walk from your Disney Grand California Hotel room and into the Disney CA Adventure Park.  The Disneyland hotels and parks are all located minutes away from each other.  The Disneyland park and California Adventure park entrances are directly across from each other.  If you want to watch all the night time shows you can walk from park to park, show to show.  Need a mid-day nap?  It’s very easy to get to your Disneyland hotel and then back into the parks. * Rides at Disneyland  – When you go to Disneyland you get to experience the theme parks all over again the first time.  Some things are familiar and some things are brand new.  It’s like seeing your favorite movie when they come out with a fantastic sequel. * Ride Overlays – At Disneyland there is more of a local crowd.  So Disneyland does some amazing holiday overlays on their rides for the holidays.  You have to see Nightmare before Christmas at the Haunted Mansion and also the Small World holiday overlay for Christmas. * Disney Characters – At Disneyland you might see the Disney characters roaming the streets.  It’s a little more laid back and usually not long lines if a line at all for some characters. * Food at Disneyland is different.  There are more fresh and healthy options at Disneyland.  The quick service options also offer healthier things like sandwiches or salads in addition to the normal theme park fare.  The Disneyland resort hotels offer some wonderful dining options too.  We cover these on this weeks Mouse Chat podcast. * The Disneyland History – Disneyland is the park Walt Disney built and walked in.  He meet guests here and ad an apartment above the fire station.  The park is filled with history and the cast members are very proud. * New lands to explore – Disneyland has lands like Cars Land and New Orleans Square where the entire land is something you can not experience at Walt Disney World. * Unique Shows and Parades – Disneyland has World of Color which is a spectacular night time show and is worth a trip to Disney’s California Adventure.  Also the Fantasmic show at Disneyland is so much better than the Fantasmic show at Walt Disney World.  Since this recording the original World of Color show has been announced to be coming back and the Paint the Night Disneyland Parade is scheduled to close on Sept 5., 2016.  Our guess is that Paint the Night will be coming to Walt Disney World, but we will announce more Paint the Night Parade news when it is released. * California Weather – The weather in CA can be much nicer than the weather at Walt Disney World, especially during the Summer. * Listen to Mouse Chat for the number ten reason

Is upgrading your Disney World room worth it? Is it worth paying for a preferred location or better view at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel? At Walt Disney World resort hotels you can pay an extra fee to get a preferred location, a water view, a pool view, etc.  Are these upgrades worth it?  We go over the different Walt Disney World resort hotels from Value to Deluxe Disney resorts to let you know when it’s worth paying for the room upgrade. On this weeks Mouse Chat Disney Podcast we cover teh different Disney resorts in detail and go over the specifics where we think paying any extra fee is worth it.  In general we don’t see the value in the Disney Vaule Resort upgrades for a pool or water view.  The Disney Value resorts are structured like motels with the entrance door and window facing the outside sidewalk and railing.  So in these rooms people are walking past your rooms window and it’s not room that’s designed so you can sit and see a fantastic view from inside.  The Disney World Deluxe resort are the style of resorts with nice balconies and views of the gardens, pool, water, animals, or theme park views in some cases.  The Disney Deluxe resorts are where you might want to splurge and get an upgraded room view.  We cover the Disney deluxe resorts that we feel an upgraded view is worth it and why on our Mouse Chat Disney podcast below in this blog post. So please listen to this weeks Mouse Chat for the best Disney World Resort Rooms, locations and views.  Mouse Chat Meet Up at EPCOT It’s that time!!! Time for the Annual Mouse Chat Disney World Meet Up.