Category: Featured Article

By Teresa Pitman Walt Disney’s love for the “Iron Horse” – the train – is well-known, and there’s evidence of that affection in the trains we enjoy riding at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.  But Walt also loved real flesh-and-blood horses – he was a skilled rider and an enthusiastic polo player – and evidence…

By Erica Colmenares Most people look back on the past year on the first of January. Since we’ve been parents, I tend to be more introspective in the summer. The kid’s passed another grade (whew!) and a new school year beckons. Recently, I had the opportunity to also look back on the mountain of writing…

By Carol Garcia Like many people who just love Disney theme parks, I look for ways to recreate the feeling of being in the parks when I am at home. I could purchase Disney trinkets to remind me of the trip. We have T-shirts and toys, scrapbook supplies and endless photos, including one gem of…

Challenges to Keep in Mind before Traveling with Kids’ Friends By Erica Colmenares Often, as children get to their late elementary school or junior high years, they start asking if they can take a friend along on family trips, maybe even on Disney vacations. Sounds good, eh? You bring along little Suzie’s best buddy, and…

By Teresa Pitman I’m sitting at a picnic table under the big pavilion roof, listening to the same conversation over and over. A cast member is tending the bar just a few feet away, and every time a guest approaches this is how it goes: “How much are the drinks?” “They’re included with the meal,…

By Sarah DeMare ** Note:  This is an archived article written in June, 2007, the information have changed greatly since that time, for current information please visit The Mouse For Less’ Disney Magic Your Way Dining Plan page at: https://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/discounts/myw.shtml. So, you’ve researched, run the numbers, and now you’ve decided that the Disney Dining Plan (DDP)…

By Teresa Pitman Like many five-year-olds, my grandson Sebastian dreams of life as a pirate. He went out as Cap’n Jack last Halloween, got a chance to learn pirate fighting techniques during our last visit to the Magic Kingdom and has even suggested “Captain Jack Sparrow” as the perfect name for the new baby his…

Written by: Carol Vandiver Photos by: Carol Vandiver and Tina Krasner A LONG TIME AGO, IN A THEME PARK FAR, FAR AWAY, Walt Disney World Resort began an annual event which puts its guests in a direct line of contact with Sith, Ewoks, Stormtroopers and Wookies. Ok, so eight years isn’t THAT long ago and…

Photos By Brad K Way back in 1982 (not so long ago for some of us), when Epcot first opened, there were no characters. This was supposed to be a different park, sans Mickey and the gang. Well, soon Disney execs realized that many guests are coming to the World expecting characters. As a result,…

By Teresa Pitman In the beginning, I was feeling pretty depressed about turning 50. It’s one of those milestone birthdays that makes you feel, well, old. Then my daughter suggested “Why don’t you celebrate your birthday at Walt Disney World – and invite everyone to join you?” And suddenly my 50th birthday was something to…

By Erica Colmenares Eventually, in the life of the Walt Disney World fan, you get the dreaded call. Someone has appointed you the organizer of the frat-house reunion, the landmark birthday party, the anniversary celebration get-together. WDW newbies and vets alike may need some extra help, or want something extra special for these vacations. And…

By Carol Garcia Recently, my family and I had the opportunity to take our first cruise. We sailed from Ft. Lauderdale on the Radiance of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean Line. Our itinerary called for stops in Key West, Cozumel (Mexico), Georgetown (Grand Cayman) and Montego Bay (Jamaica). For the most part,…