Money Saving Tip - Lunch!

I was browsing on a website that I regularly search for coupons and other money savings deals - MoolaSavingMom - and I found this and thought it was too perfect and had to share with you all!



I started implementing this "Travel Savings Plan" years ago.  I found it extremely useful to actually place the money I was saving by eating leftovers for lunch at home (or in the office if I brought them in) in my Disney Savings Jar! Missed that blog post? You can find it here: Disney Savings Jar. 

Do you have any fun travel savings tips? Let me know! I might even feature  your tip in a blog post! 

Interested in taking a magical Disney vacation? Email me - lauren@magicaltravel.com - for a FREE, no obligation vacation quote!  Or simply fill out the form below! As a Disney vacation specialist, let me put my expert knowledge to your benefit and help you plan a magical vacation!

Celebrity Narrators Announced for Candlelight Processional

Is it too soon to be talking about Christmas?  Not when it comes to discussing the Candlelight Processional at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort!  The Candlelight Processional is a lovely tradition where the rich sounds of a full orchestra and choir fill the America Gardens Theatre, and a special celebrity narrator takes the stage for a stirring retelling of the Christmas story.   This lovely holiday performance returns to Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort November 27 - December 30, 2015.  

Celebrity Narrators scheduled to make appearances this year include : 

• 11/27 – 11/29 — Gary Sinise
• 11/30 – 12/3 — Neil Patrick Harris
• 12/4 – 12/5 — Whoopi Goldberg
• 12/6 – 12/8 — Joe Morton
• 12/9 – 12/11 — Ana Gasteyer
• 12/12 – 12/14 — Meredith Vieira – NEW
• 12/15 – 12/17— America Ferrera – NEW
• 12/18 – 12/20 — Chandra Wilson – NEW
• 12/21 – 12/23 — Daniel Dae Kim – NEW
• 12/24 – 12/26 — Edward James Olmos
• 12/27 – 12/28 – Blair Underwood
• 12/29 – 12/30 — Amy Grant

Showtimes are 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m and 8:15 p.m. nightly. Showtimes on Dec. 6 are 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. (Times and narrators are subject to change without notice).

You can enjoy guaranteed seating for this holiday tradition, as well as a delicious meal at an Epcot restaurant with Candlelight Processional Dining Packages – starting $35 for lunch and $50 for dinner for adults (plus tax and gratuity). Packages include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage per person (or one full buffet where applicable). Availability is limited. Please note Park admission is required and is not included in the price of the dining package. Dining packages are not available on Dec. 6, 2015.

Want to go to Walt Disney World to see one of these Candlelight Processional performances, I can help you - email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com!  I will help you with everything from booking your vacation package, to securing your restaurant reservations, Fast Pass selections and even the Candlelight Processional Dining Package! I will save you not only money but also your time! 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest Disney travel news!

Disney Saving Tip: Disney Savings Jar!

This Disney savings tip utilizes: coupons and… a Disney savings jar!  The savings idea is that the amount of money that you save by using coupons, will be placed in a Disney savings jar for your upcoming Disney vacation.  It is simple, easy and fun!

First you need a place to put your savings - a Disney Savings Jar! I used a half-gallon mason jar that I got from Michaels.  The jar was originally $4.29 but I had a 40% off coupon that lowered the price of my jar to $2.72 with tax.  If you don’t want to buy a jar, you could also use a large food jar that has been thoroughly washed out – you don’t want your Disney savings smelling like pasta sauce or pickles!

Large Mason jars at Michaels.

Now comes the fun part and where you can get your kids involved in the fun – decorating your Disney Savings Jar!  Decorating your savings jar reminds you why you’re putting money in it – your Disney vacation.  If you’re not a crafty person, the jar’s decoration can be as simple as writing “Disney Vacation” with the day your vacation starts.  You can get the kids involved and have them decorate the Disney Savings Jar.  Your or the kids can use paint representing your favorite Disney character; Disney stickers; Disney ribbon; if you have them, glue old paper tickets to the jar; or glue a picture from your most recent Disney trip onto the jar.  The key is to decorate your savings jar so that every time you see it or put money in it you’re reminded of the end goal – money for your Disney vacation!  This is my Disney Savings Jar; it may remind you of a famous mouse.

My Disney Savings Jar

Now that you have your Disney Savings Jar ready for money, where are you getting the money to put in it?  By using coupons! Where are you getting the coupons? Lots of places!   An easy way to start couponing is the Kroger website.  The Kroger website has digital coupons available to download directly onto your shoppers card – no clipping required, all you have to do is click on the “Load to Card” button!  Another great place to get coupons is the Sunday newspaper.  In my local newspaper, there are usually 2 – 3 coupon ‘books’ in the middle with the rest of the store advertisements (Bonus tip: There is currently a Groupon for a subscription to the Cincinnati Enquirer). 

Coupon book from my local newspaper.

Another great place to check for coupons before you go shopping is MyPoints and Swagbucks.  Both websites have coupons you can print to take with you on your shopping trip.  Using MyPoints or Swagbucks coupons is a double savings – you get rewarded for actually redeeming these coupons as well helping you earn free money towards your Disney vacation! (If you’ve not read my blog post about earning free money towards your next Disney vacation – read it here now!).  Also, before you go shopping, be sure to check the store’s website for coupons along with the website retailmenot.com for any coupons that you can use on your shopping trip.

My receipt from Michaels showing the coupon I found on Michaels' website.

While you’re in the store there are store-specific apps that you can use to check for coupons.  My personal favorite is the Target cartwheel app. While I am shopping I use the scan feature within the app to scan the price tag of what I am buying to see if there is an available coupon.  If there, is I just show the cashier the app’s barcode and wha-la instant savings off of my final bill and more money to go into the Disney Savings Jar!

After you’ve done your shopping there is still more ways to save and thus add more money to your Disney Savings Jar!  My favorite app to save money after shopping is Ibotta.  I think of Ibotta more as a rebate rather than a coupon because the savings aren’t an deduction off of my bill.  Ibotta is a free app that after you go shopping, you find the store you shopped at among the many listed.  Then look at the products that have cash rewards.  Once you find something you’ve purchased you need to ‘unlock’ the product’s rebate by completing a simple task, then you verify your purchase by scanning the product   Your cash reward amount will be deposited into your Ibotta account within 48 hours. After you’ve racked up $10 in rewards you can transfer the amount to PayPal or to Venmo then transfer that amount into your Disney Savings Jar!  Plus, if you join my Ibotta team (when you sign up use code “ufhta”) we both get an instant $2 savings and we will both earn rewards faster thus having more money to go in our Disney Savings Jars!  I also like Ibotta because its one of the few places that offers “coupons” for alcohol.
barcode and submitting a photo of your store receipt.

Now that you have a Disney Savings Jar and multiple ways to get coupons, how do you know how much to place in your Disney Savings Jar?  This is the easy part!  The stores do the math for you and put on the receipt how much you’ve saved - they tell you the exact amount of how much you need to put in your Disney Savings Jar!  As for how often you want to contribute to your jar that is up to you on what you feel comfortable with.  Do you only save the grocery coupon savings? Do you save on every coupon used?  Do you save only the coupon amount from Target? It is up to you, what you’re comfortable with and how much you want to save.

It was late and I counted my change wrong. But it ended up being more money in the savings jar so I kept it!

My final tip in regards to using a Disney Savings Jar: keep the jar somewhere you're going to see it.  This way you'll be reminded that you need to place your money-saved in the jar!  I keep my Disney Savings Jar on top of the refrigerator, that way I'm reminded to place my saved money in it while I'm putting my groceries away.

My last overall money saving tip is to use contact me to help you plan and book your next Disney vacation.  Not only will I help you save the most money possible, I will help save you in time by looking for the best deal!  I will also save you time by helping you book those hard to get restaurant reservations to Fast Pass selections!  Email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com to get your next Disney vacation started today!  

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest Disney travel news!

Summer Packing List for Walt Disney World

I normally go to Walt Disney World in the fall.  I go in the fall for two main reasons:

1. Epcot Food & Wine Festival occurs in the fall and its my favorite event held at Walt Disney World.
2. It doesn't feel like the inside of an oven when you're outside.

That being said, I leave to go to Walt Disney World next week; during Florida summer.  In my home state, Kentucky, the end of September is usually associated with the extreme heat and intense humidity making their exit for the year and the nice fall weather rolling in.  

Screen shot from weather.com of Northern KY weather in September

September in Florida? Still very oven like.

Screen shot from weather.com of Walt Disney World weather in September

So now, I'm packing for a trip to Walt Disney World during Florida summer and I thought I would share what I'm packing to help you out.  

What am I bringing for my weekend trip:

1.  TANK TOPS AND T-SHIRTS. Light and airy is the key for me.  I also pack two outfits for each day I'm in "the World."  One of my favorite tips to give for a successful trip to Walt Disney World is taking breaks from the park and to not over doing it (there is no way you can see everything there is to do, no matter how long your trip is)!  When its mid-afternoon HOT out, I head back to the hotel for a little break.  This could be a swim, a nap, a shower, etc.  But it always involves an outfit change so I feel refreshed when I go back to the parks in the evening.

Where else are you going to wear a Winnie the Pooh shirt besides Walt Disney World? Disneyland.

2.  SHORTS. I will be bringing shorts because I am alway hot, especially in the summer.  Capris and pants are something the hide in my closet until it is officially lower than 75° at the warmest point of the day. Needless to say, they will not be making the trip.  As with shirts, I'm packing two pairs of shorts for each day.

Summertime = shorts. 

3.  BATHING SUIT.  Walt Disney World has some of the most amazing pools I've seen in all of my travels, so the kids are probably going to want to swim at some point of their trip, if not every day.  Plus nothing beats cooling off like jumping into pool on a hot day.  If you're at the pool during the midday heat, instead of at the parks, everyone will be happy, especially after a few trips down the water slide (almost all of the resort pools have one).  Plus what is a vacation if it doesn't involve a trip or two down the water slide?  Another reason to bring a bathing suit - the hot tubs! Walking around the parks all day is pretty tiresome; relaxing in a hot tub after a long day helps me get relaxed and ready for the next day!

Ready for the pool slide!

4. SOCKS.  Who wears gym shoes without socks?!

5.  GYM SHOES. They are must no matter what time of year.  I strongly suggest bringing a comfy pair of walking shoes.  Do not, I repeat, DO NOT bring brand new shoes.  It will be one of the worst mistake you make while preparing for your trip.  After a day in the brand new shoes, your feet will hate you.  And they will let you know that they hate you.  Thus your feet will ruin your trip if you wear brand new shoes at WDW.

6.  A SECOND PAIR OF SHOES. Why? Well, I don't know if you've heard or not, but Walt Disney World is located in Florida.  Florida is pretty well known for their afternoon pop-up rain showers.  It is also hurricane season.  Rain = wet shoes.  Wet shoes, like brand new shoes, will ruin your day.  Your feet will hate you for putting them in wet shoes for an entire day.  Do yourself a favor and bring a extra pair of shoes to switch into once your first pair gets wet.  Another reason: Florida's crazy humidity, it takes longer for wet items to dry. Your gym shoes that got wet Saturday afternoon may very well be wet Sunday morning.  No one likes wet shoes.  I'm bringing and extra pair of gym shoes and a pair of sandals - I like wearing sandals at night when I'll be doing less walking.

Extra shoes!

7.  PONCHOS.  As I mentioned in the previous statement, it rains - a lot - in Florida during the summer.  The best way to deal with the rain while visiting the parks is a poncho.  Umbrellas tend to be too cumbersome and generally don't hold up well with the wind.  

8.  UNDERGARMENTS.  I've never seen "unmentionables" for sale at any Walt Disney World gift shop.  If you forget them, you're gonna have to go off property to buy some.

9.  A LIGHTWEIGHT BAG to take into the parks.  The bag will hold my sunglass (during rides), cell phone, camera, sunscreen, a small wallet with my I.D., credit card, health insurance card (I'm my mother's daughter) and some cash.  The I.D. is very important if you plan on consuming alcohol and look under the age of 50.  I am a heavy cell phone user, so I'll also bring a portable charger.  That is it,  I don't want to be lugging around 50 lbs on my shoulders all day.  If you don't mind the weight, be my guest and bring more but in my opinion, you don't need it. 

The contents of my purse. In case you were wondering...

10.  COSMETICS & TOILETRIES.  If you have hair that can be either straight or curly - like myself -  know that in Florida it will be curly (even if you left the hotel room with straight hair).  So be prepared and bring the correct products.  You will thank me when you're showing off your Walt Disney World vacation pictures to friends, family, co-workers, people that didn't go, etc. and your hair doesn't look like an animal you found at Animal Kingdom.

Curly hair necessities. 

11.  PRESCRIPTIONS, ADVIL, TUMS, BANDAIDS.  You never know when you're going to need these so better safe than sorry.  The gift shops do carry these items (over the counters, the don't carry prescriptions), however, it's best to have them in the room when you need them.  Otherwise, you'll have to hike to the gift store to get them when you may not feel like going anywhere.

My Disney medicine cabinet.

12.  CARRY ON BAG.  Filled with goodies to get you and your family from point A to point B while traveling.  Important fact for those of you who need gum while flying: Walt Disney World does not sell gum anywhere on their property.  So if you need it for your flight there and back home - you will have to bring it yourself.  Or buy it in the airport with a crazy overcharge.

Carry on filled with magazines, Kindle and gum.

13.  MINNIE MOUSE EARS/ MICKEY MOUSE EARS.  Because you're going to Walt Disney World!

Minnie Mouse Ears!

And that is it! Ready to go! 

Is there anything you think that is essential for a Disney vacation in the summer that you think I'm forgetting?

UPDATE: September 23, 2015
I previously said in my list of things to pack that you must bring your "unmentionables" because I had never found any in the gift shops in case you forgot yours.  Well I found them! Only in adult sizes, but they were there.  And I found them in two resort gift shops: at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and at the Contemporary.

For the ladies: I only found one option. A "ladies hipster" style.  I found them in sizes XS - XXL.  I only found one option as far as print goes.  They come 3 to a pack and are priced at $21.95.

For the men: I found two options for men - a Mickey Mouse outline and a Mickey Mouse parts style.  Both of the boxer style. Only one per pack. Priced at $19.95.

And remember, for all the latest Disney news, tips and tricks follow me on Facebook! 

Two Easy Ways to Save Money on your next Disney Vacation!

Many people think that a Disney vacation is out of their budget.  I am here to prove to you that it is not with these TWO easy and simple tips.

1. Pay for your Disney trip by using "free"money.  There are a FOUR ways to earn "free" money (I put free in quotes because we all know nothing is free - some of these websites require your time to rack up points, others are a reward on cash spent.)






1.  My favorite way to earn "free" money is Swagbucks.  When you sign up for Swagbucks you need to take surveys, watch videos, play games, enter codes, etc. to earn Swagbucks.  (Tip: Be sure to hit your daily goal everyday.  If you do this daily, at the end of the month you will earn big in FREE bucks just for meeting those goals!) You can shop online via Swagbucks and earn a percentage of what you spent in Swagbucks.  Once you have enough Swagbucks racked up, you then convert your Swagbucks into gift cards.  I strongly recommend converting your Swagbucks into Target gift cards.  Why? As I explain below, once you sign up for the Target REDcard program,  you can buy Disney gift cards at 5% off - thus stretching your "free" money.  Sign up here for a Swagbucks account and start earning!              



Earn bucks to turn into gift cards!

2.                                       
3. Sign up for MyPoints.  MyPoints is similar to Swagbucks -  you need to take to surveys, watch videos, etc.in order to earn points that you convert to gift cards.  However, I have found that it takes much longer to rack up enough MyPoints to buy a  $50 Target gift card than it does via Swagbucks.  No reason you can't do both though. (Tip: Be sure to take advantage of the MyPoints emails - you will receive a few emails a day that you need to click on to earn free and easy points).  Click here to sign up.  



Earn Points and turn your points into gift cards!


4. Ebates.  Ebates is a website that you visit before you shop online, search for the store that you plan on shopping at, and click their special link to do your shopping. By doing so you get a cash back percentage on your total spent. These online shopping trips add up and you'll get a reward check sent to you in the mail four times a year.  (Tip: since Swagbucks and MyPoints also offer rewards for shopping online, check all three sites to ensure you get the best cash back reward). Use your reward check towards your Disney vacation or use it to buy Disney gift cards via the Target REDcard program to stretch your free dollars even more!         



Earn Cash Back while you shop!

5. Sign up for a Target REDcard (there are two options, find out which one is best for you here) and simply buy Disney gift cards online.  The Target REDcard program gives 5% off towards all purchases - including gift cards.  That means you will only spend $47.50 for a $50.00 Disney gift card/$95.00 for a $100 Disney gift card and getting at least a 5% discount off your Disney vacation - trust me it can really add up!



Save 5% even on Disney Gift Cards!


2.  Use Lauren Gonding with Magical Travel to book your Disney vacation.  



1. First off my service is 100% totally FREE to my clients.  
2. As your personalized Disney Travel Agent I WILL help you SAVE money.  I will do my best to get you the best deal - even after you have booked!  I will constantly search for discounts and if you get a pin code in the mail - I will be able to apply that to your previously booked vacation. (Bonus Tip: You can use your "free" Disney gift cards to pay your Disney Vacation package booked with me!)
3. I will save you TIME by booking for you the hard to get Advance Dining Reservations and FastPass+ selections.  Saving you time means you'll have more time to spend with your family, or (by using the above mentioned websites) to earn more "free" money to spend on your Disney vacation.  To find out how I can help you save on your Disney vacation email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com.  Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog and like my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/laurenmagicaltravel) to stay informed of all the magic Disney has to offer.
   

   

   Earn "Free" Disney Gift Cards!

   
   
   
   

Why I love Disney

I am a Disney lover.  Actually, I am probably closer to being a extreme Disney enthusiast. I cannot get enough Disney in my life.   Whether it be from Disney movies, clothing referencing Disney, kitchen items with the iconic Mickey mouse head on it, to seasonal Disney goods, to trips to Walt Disney World Resort - I cannot get enough.  And I am perfectly okay with it.

This is me. In my Minnie Ears.

Those around me, loved ones, family and friends, know about my love affair with Disney.  In fact, they are fans of Disney themselves and will travel with me to my beloved place!  I consider myself to be a lucky girl because of this!

My Disney loving friends.

My Disney loving family.

People frequently ask me, "why Disney?" "Why do I keep going back to Walt Disney World, isn't it the same every year?" "Why do you like Disney so much?"   Its hard not to just reply back, "because it is Disney…".  Instead I have to explain.  Actually, have to is the wrong phrase.  I get to explain.

Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom

My love for Disney started with their movies.  When I was a child, I remember welcoming Michael Eisner into our home every Sunday when my family and I would watch The Disney Sunday movie together (this was eventually renamed The Wonderful World of Disney).  My favorite childhood movies consisted of Lady and The Tramp (I watched it so often I would ruin the VHS tape and my mom would have to go by another copy - this happened more than once), The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.  Then I got old enough to take myself to the movies and while I know I saw other movies, the Disney movies I saw during my high school years are the ones I remember and still watch to this day.

Then there are the magical vacations to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.  Walt Disney World is a location of many of my fond childhood memories.  My favorite memory of mine is being at the Magic Kingdom when I was 4, being held by my grandma and watching the Main Street Electrical parade go by - and we were both equally fascinated.  I can recall each and every visit to Walt Disney World and each one was magical in its own way.  Even in my angry teenage years, trips to Walt Disney World brought me back to the "I love my family and I love spending time with my family" version of myself.  Then Walt Disney World trips turned into trips with my college friends, visiting the EPCOT Food and Wine festival and having the time of our lives.  Eventually the trips to Walt Disney World began to include both my family and my college friends and everyone has a great time together.

Friends and family in Walt Disney World.

So why Walt Disney World?  I go back because of that warm, bubbly feeling I get when walking underneath the Walt Disney Railroad Station, letting the sights, sounds and smells that take me back to the same joy I had as a 4-year-old with my grandma and being able to share that with friends and family - year after year.

Walt Disney Railroad Train Station 

I go back to Walt Disney World because of the memories that are created while on these trips.  I can recall things that happened on trips like they happened yesterday - when really it was years ago - and  upon recall they still bring smiles and laughs.

I go back because of the quality time spent with family in a way I can't get elsewhere.  My dad, being a successful business man, is always on the phone working - even on vacation.  Except at Disney.  He puts his phone goes away and gets to relax and enjoy family time.  It is also quality time that my friends and I get to spend together like we used to in college. We are busy with our own careers and families that it is nice to get away for a week and just be friends, catch up and spend time together without distractions.

The family on our last trip to WDW.

I keep going back because of the outstanding customer service I get while at Walt Disney World Resort. The cast members are always willing to go above and beyond to make our visit magical.  For example, one time our group was standing outside Test Track trying to determine if we had enough time to ride it before out dinner reservations, and we decided we did not.  A cast member overheard us and asked us if we would follow her - we thought we were in trouble!  She lead us away from the line and told us "everyone should be able to do Test Track!" and she opened up a back door to the ride, taking us straight to the front of the line and told us and we got on the ride and make our dinner reservations.

I return year after year (and sometimes more than once a year) because there is always something different and new to do.  Walt Disney World changes things here and there, adding things here and there - always giving us something new to try.  Whether it be creating a whole new world in one of the theme parks, or updating a ride or even adding a restaurant to the extensive list - each trip I've taken to Walt Disney World is different than the last trip I've taken.  That being said, along with getting to do the new things, I get to experience my old favorites as well.

RIP Maelstrom

The new My Disney Experience/Magic Band

So that being said, I hope I've been able to convey just a little bit of why I keep going back to Walt Disney World.  If you want your family to experience all the magic and wonder Walt Disney World and the Disney Travel line has to offer, contact me so I can help plan your vacation to Walt Disney World!