Character conversation starters

Not sure what to say when you meet a character? Here are some good (sometimes funny) conversation starters (even for the non-speaking characters)!

Mickey- Tell him you like Donald better

Donald Duck- Tell him you like Mickey better

Chip n Dale- Mix up their names, or ask which one is Simon

Tinkerbell- Tell her she looks like a butterfly (my 4 year old told her this, and she was so excited to be

 compared to a beautiful butterfly)

Tigger- Ask him to bounce with you

Rapunzel- Ask her where Pascal is hiding

Belle- Ask her what her favorite book is

Anna & Elsa- Ask “Do you wanna build a snowman?”

Peter Pan- ask him how old he is

Captain Hook- Walk up to him and say “Tick tock”

Tiana- Ask what her favorite dish to make is

Baloo- Ask where the bananas are

Let's hear YOUR ideas! Comment with some ways you get the characters to interact with you. 

Disney meets Thirty-One

I recently became an Independent Consultant with Thirty-One gifts. I found some really cute Disney ideas that I just had to share with you!

Which is your favorite? 

If you'd like to order these, or any other Thirty-One items, you can shop from my website. 

If you'd like to get these bags for FREE or HALF PRICE, send me an email at jenscolforo@gmail.com to schedule an online or catalog party!

Holidays at Disney World

If you haven't experienced the holiday season at the most magical place on earth, you should do it at least once!  Disney is magical all year long, but during November and December it gets even MORE magical. With all the holiday decorations, both in the parks and at the resorts, Disney really knows how to go all out. Here's my top 5 list of things to at Disney World during the Christmas season.

1. Go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!! This does require a special ticket, but it's 100% worth it. This year, the party is being held Nov. 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29 AND Dec. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 18.  The party runs from 7pm- midnight, and you can enjoy special parade and fireworks, as well as FREE cookies and hot chocolate, a Tomorrowland dance party, and special character meet and greets!

2. See the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This is a beautiful can't miss display of lights that will take your breath away.

3. Visit the resorts! The Disney resorts have some really beautiful holiday decor this time of the year. It makes for some awesome photo ops!

4. Going along with number 3, be sure to pay a visit to the Grand Floridian resort to see their HUGE gingerbread house!!

5. Decorate your room! If you will be at Disney World on Christmas day (or if you just want to be festive!) bring some small decorations to decorate your room! A small tabletop tree, some ornaments, and window clings will put you in the Christmas spirit!

If you're interested in spending the holidays at Disney World, let's plan your vacation!  I am even offering a $50 Disney gift card to anyone who books a Disney vacation by July 31st for travel through Dec 31st 2015!  Email me to book your trip today!  jenscolforo@aol.com

Happy Independence Day!!

Watch 4th of July fireworks LIVE from the Magic Kingdom!

(Photo Credit: Disney parks blog)

If you are staying in for the 4th, be sure to check this out!!  Disney will be showing 4th of July fireworks LIVE from the Magic Kingdom.  The live feed will begin at 8:50pm, with the fireworks show starting at 9pm. They have two different views for you to watch- from in front of Cinderella castle and/or from the Polynesian beach.  Go to the Disney Parks blog to see the show on July 4th.  

Changes...

The Magic of Disney Animation, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is closing July 12th.  Also DisneyQuest, located in Downtown Disney, will be closing sometime next year to make way for the new NBA Experience (NBA themed attraction that will include a restaurant and store as well).

Are you going to miss these?

Disney fun for the fourth

Heading to WDW for the 4th of July?  Here are some things you can expect to enjoy:

(Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog)

You can check out a special fireworks show in the Magic Kingdom on both July 3rd and 4th at 9:00 pm.  In EPCOT, be sure to listen the Voices of Liberty, doing a special performance in the American Gardens (shows at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 pm).  While you're there, you can see Chip n Dale in their patriotic attire outside the American Adventure.  IllumiNations will also feature a special patriotic finale. Or, if you really want to party, head over to Hollywood Studios for a Rockin' 4th of July Celebration from 5:45- 10:15 pm. 

Not going to be at WDW for the fourth?  Here are a few ideas on how you can put a little Disney in your own July 4th celebration!

Make Rapunzel's Independence Day crown

(Photo credit: Disney Family)

For the sweet tooth, try your hand at Woody's Independence Day badge cookies! 

(Photo credit: Disney Family)

Make this Minnie Mouse Statue of Liberty craft!

(Photo Credit: Disney Family)

And here's a fun coloring page.

(Photo Credit: Disney Family)

No matter where you are, you can put a little Disney into your holiday!

No more selfie sticks

Disney announced this week, that due to safety concerns, selfie sticks will no longer be permitted in any Disney parks, as of June 30th, 2015. They are also not allowed at Disney's two water parks, or at DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney.  So, if you were planning on taking it with you, save the room in your suitcase, and leave it at home!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have a BIG announcement!  I am now a travel agent with Gateway to Magic.  I can help you with all your Disney vacation planning needs, as well as most cruise lines!  

I am really excited about this company, especially because they are a Christian based company that gives back.  Every time you book a trip with me, 10% of the commission is donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation!! On top of that, here's what you will get when you book your Disney vacation through me:

* Personalized service from someone who knows Disney inside and out!
* The best price available!  I keep an on Disney's discounts, and will get you any and all discounts available to you!
* Dining reservations- I will get up bright and early 180 before your trip and do my very best to get the dining reservations you want, when you want them!
* Fastpass reservations- I can make all your fastpass plus reservations for you!
* Special gift! You will receive a special gift when you arrive at your Disney resort hotel.

The best part about all of this is.... IT'S FREE!!!  That's right! You pay NOTHING to work with a Disney vacation planner, like me! So, what are you waiting for? Let's start planning your next Disney vacation.

(Already booked on your own? That's ok!  We may be able to transfer your booking, so you can take advantage of all these great benefits!)

2016 Magic Your Way Package

Disney has changed the Magic Your Way package "extras".  First, let's take a look at what you will get with the NEW Magic Your Way package in 2016.

* Hotel accommodations
* Park Tickets
* (4) Mini golf vouchers for either Disney's Fantasia Gardens, or Disney's Winter Summerland miniature golf courses. (Must be used before 4pm)
* (4) Vouchers for entry to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
* 10% Discount at Splittsville Luxury Lanes (valid on bowling, merchandise, food, and non-alcoholic beverages)
* 10% Discount at Sammy Duvall's Watersports (Parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing) Subject to availability.
* House of Blues- 20% off food and non-alcoholic beverages and 10% off non-discounted merchandise.
* Joffery's Coffee & Tea- 20% off non-discounted purchases.
* Planet Hollywood- 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
* Portobello Country Italian Trattoria- 10% off food & non-alcoholic beverages during lunch or dinner.
* Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe- 10% off food & non-alcoholic beverages during lunch or dinner.
* Little Missmatched- 20% off non-discounted merchandise
* Something Silver- 15% off non-discounted merchandise
* Arribas Brothers- 10% off purchases (Excludes Aramani, glassblowing custom/special orders, Herend, Hummel, Liuli, Nao Collection by Lladró, Starlite Collection (Acrylic), Swarovski, Wendt & Kuhn and shipping charges; some other restrictions apply. Discount may not be combined with any other offer).
* Basin- 10% off purchases at Basin located at Disney Springs or Basin White located in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
* Curl® by Sammy Duvall - 10% off the price of non-discounted merchandise (excludes watches, sunglasses and electronics)
* Pop Gallery - 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise (excludes published artists and shipping, other exclusions may apply).
* The Hair Wrap Company - One charm with a value of $5.00 with a purchase of a hair wrap at select Walt Disney World locations. Excludes pre-made wraps.

WOW that's a TON of discounts!  Here's what was included in the 2015 MYW package, but has been removed for 2016:

* Arcade game card (was a 100 point card per room)
* Dining discounts at Bongos (was 15%), Fulton’s Crab House (was 10%), and Paradiso 37 (was 20%)
* Children’s Activity Center Discount (was 15%)
* Disney Tours discount (was 15% for most tours)
* DisneyQuest admission vouchers (was 2 per room)
* Recreation discounts for horseback riding (was 15%), guided bass fishing (was 15%), and marina rentals (was 10%)
* Spa and salon services discount (was 15% for services 50 minutes or longer)

Also changing in 2016- you now have until 30 days before your trip to pay it off, as opposed to the 45 days before that it is now. You can now only hold a room for 3 days without a deposit, instead of the 7 days you have now.  All in all, I like the changes.  What do you think?