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What you can do to make vacations less stressful

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I, like so many of you, am a parent. We live in a day and age where everything that we do as parents is posted on social media almost the instant we do it. We get inspiration for things to do with our children from Pinterest, order them matching shirts on Etsy and spend hours micro planning every detail of our day because we Pinterest somehow feel if we don’t we will be judged for not doing so, or worse, we will let our children down. What does all of this bring us-  nothing but stress! This stress is intensified when we try to plan the perfect vacation for our children. I will let you all in on a little secret though. It is possible to plan your dream vacation without it being a stress filled, panic attack, melt down experience. Here are some ways it can be done. 

 

Extend Your Time

While not always an option, taking longer vacations can eliminate a lot of the stress associated with your trip. In general people take two types of vacations. The first is where they plan to do as little as possible. The second and more common one is where they plan to do as much as possible. Whether it be on a cruise, in an all inclusive resort or at a theme park the temptation to see and do everything is great. When you plan a shorter vacation and then add in this temptation it is easy to become stressed. The goal of trying to fit everything in and not leave anything out in a small time frame can absolutely ruin a vacation. Adding in even j

ust one day of rest in the middle of your vacation can elevate that problem. Adding a few extra days makes the problem non-existent from the very beginning.

 

Go with the Flow

If you are a planner this is easier said than done. However the reality is that just because you are on vacation

Serenity Bay

the every day life events that pop up in your regular life that cause you to change your plans, don’t disappear when you are on vacation. Maybe its a change in the weather, or your spouse forgets the room key, or kid number one is screaming because they wanted the blue one and kid number two has the blue one. Whatever it is that causes a sudden change in your plans, go with it. A willingness to change your plans on the spot to accommodate whatever has happened is a great way to save your vacation.The more flexible you are the less stressed and upset you will become if there is a change of plans during your trip. This will allow you to enjoy the moment instead of focusing on the what could have been. Not one single ride, parade, meal, or attraction has to ruin your vacation. Your vacation memories are made by a collection of moments; not a single event. 

 

Lower your Expectations

I can hear the gasp that just escaped your mouth, but hear me out. I know you have spent thousands of dollars on this vacation, you have planned every detail, bought new clothes and shoes, and are ready to 

have the perfect vacation. However the reality is that nothing, absolutely nothing in this world is perfect. If you begin your trip with the idea that everything must be perfect or you will in someway failed (either as a parent, spouse, planner,etc.) then you will stress over every minute of your trip trying to ensure that it is in fact perfect so that you in turn do not fail. However, if you take the view point that there will be things that might go wrong (lost luggage, cranky child, bad weather) and that these things do not reflect on you or your desire to give your family a memorable vacation you will be able to roll with these moments and truly enjoy your time with your loved ones. Even terrible vacations can turn into cherished family memories that you can laugh together over for years to come. Having the mindset that there is no such thing as a perfect vacation will help you to have a much less stressful and way more enjoyable vacation. And as I said above, not one single ride, parade, meal, or attraction has to ruin your vacation. Your vacation memories are made by a collection of moments; not a single event.

 

Book with a Travel Advisor

We are here to help make your vacation as stress free as possible. There are so many benefits to booking your vacation with a DWB Vacations travel advisor, but perhaps the largest one is that you are able to receive our expert planning, advice, and problem solving.

Plan with DWB VacationsWe plan as much or as little as you would like so we are perfect for both the clients who want to plan every detail themselves, and the one who just wants to show up to a wonderfully planned vacation.

are on call 24/7 for you while you are traveling. So if you do have an emergency or have something go terribly wrong, we are able to step in and fix the problem, while you continue your vacation. Having a travel advisor is like having your own personal fairy godmother watching over you, making sure you are protected from things that can ruin your vacation.

 

Vacations are suppose to be a time to enjoy and relax with your loved ones. While they can be stressful at times it is important to remove that stress so that you are able to unwind and recharge. Following these few simple suggestions can help to erase some major stresses learning to a much more enjoyable vacation. Of course booking your vacation with a DWB Vacations advisor can help ensure that not only is the vacation less stressful, but the planning is too. 

Help us, Help you!

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I hear from people all the time, “I am waiting to book my Disney vacation until the promotion comes out” or “I’m waiting for free dining”. Waiting for the best deal is not always the best way to save money on your Disney vacation. In some cases it can actually cause you to end up spending more than you will save. In recent years, it is best to book your Disney trip as early as you can to be sure to get the best prices and availability possible. Let’s debunk the myth that waiting for a deal is the best way to save on a Disney vacation (or really any vacation).

There are no guarantees
With Disney and the products that they offer there are no guarantees. Until your trip is booked your prices are not guaranteed. You could be checking the web everyday waiting for that perfect deal to be released, and one day with no warning the prices can increase or additional costs and fees could be added such as the recently added parking fees. There are also no guarantees that a promotion will be offered for when you want to travel. The promotions that are offered often have many different conditions which can cause you to spend more money than you are actually saving. There is no guarantee your package meets the requirements for a promotion that comes out. As travel advisers, we see it all the time. A promotion is released but in order to qualify for it clients must be traveling for a certain number of nights, stay at certain resorts in select room types or have a certain type of park ticket. This can end up costing our clients more than they actually save.

Christmas lights
Christmas lights on Cinderella’s Castle

Prices can increase
Disney does price increases at different times throughout the year. This is why it is important to book your vacation as early as possible. When you book your vacation and place your $200 deposit you lock in your price. The only way the price will change is if you make some type of change to the reservation. When you book your Disney vacation with DWB Vacations your travel adviser will monitor Disney for any possible promotions that are released that will save you some money. This is part of our concierge service. Sometimes promotions are released that are not helpful to our clients. They may result in higher prices for our clients. We are diligent at analyzing the promotions that are released and ensure that our clients get the most value for their money. We are here to help you. As soon as you make your reservation with a DWB Vacations adviser we give you our full attention to ensure that you get the best value in your vacation. If we can save you some money doing so, it makes us even happier.

Availability can disappear
As promotions are released with their restrictions certain room types at certain resorts can disappear very quickly. This can make it difficult for you to reserve your dream room or resort for your vacation. By making your reservation earlier in the year you can ensure that you have the exact room and resort that makes your heart happy. Your travel adviser can always make changes to your reservation without penalty up until thirty days before your trip. Reserving your room early with just a $200 dollar deposit helps you get as much on your wish list as possible. This is also true for dining reservations and fast passes. When waiting for a promotion to be released your 180 day window for dining reservations or 60 day window for fast passes might have already begun. By making your reservation early your DWB Vacations travel adviser diligently monitors those dates as well to ensure that you are able to make those reservations when your window of time opens so you have the best chance at availability. Dining and fastpass reservations are easily cancelled or can often be modified once they are created, however waiting for a promotion can cause you to miss the harder to book reservations.

Your Travel Adviser is on the Case
When you book a Disney Vacation package your adviser is on your side and on the case. We have a whole team working together to look for discounts for our clients. When a promotion is released the whole team works diligently to check those promotions for every single package booked by a DWB Vacations travel adviser. We work diligently, usually hours before you are even aware that a promotion is released to try and save our clients as much as possible. When you book a vacation early it allows your agent to share your trip details with the team so that you then have a team of advisers working together in your best interest.

We understand the costs that are associated with a trip to Walt Disney World, and we completely understand why you want to wait for a promotion to be released. We want you to have the most enjoyable vacation possible without breaking the bank. The best way for us to do this is for you to book your vacation as soon as possible. Then trust in us, your team at DWB Vacations, to get you the best price from any promotions offered. We are here for you. Please help us, help you.

We Like To Party! And you will too! Why you should go to the after hour parties at Disney

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Disney offers some pretty awesome after hour parties throughout the year, but not all guests choose to purchase tickets to these awesome events. There are multiple parties for this coming fall like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but you don’t have to wait until the fall. There are also parties for this summer that you still have time to enjoy like H20 party nights at Typhoon Lagoon or Villans After Hours party at the Magic Kingdom. Also, special after hours nights at Hollywood and Magic Kingdom are happening now. All of these events are a great way to enjoy a little more time in the parks with some extra magic. I’m sure your question is…”Why spend the extra money?” There are many reasons so let’s talk about them.

Smaller Crowds
Since the amount of tickets that are sold to these events are limited the number of people in the parks is significantly lower than on an average day. This means you are able to move more freely through the parks getting a chance to ride on attractions that might have a longer wait normally. You are also able to get better pictures without so many people in the background of your photographs. Plus as an added bonus the lines for your favorite foods and treats are significantly lower than they normally are. This might be your time to finally try that treat that the lines have always been to long for. Everyone loves a smaller crowd at Disney. Parties are a great way to maximize your time since the crowds are far smaller.

 

Special Food and Treats
Along with the special party nights comes the special party themes which brings all the special party theme foods and drinks. Each of the different parties have their own specialty items that the foodie fans are sure to love and even non foodie fans are excited to try. Some events like the after hour parties at Hollywood and Magic Kingdom even include select ice cream and popcorn as well as bottled soft drinks in the ticket price. Even if you are not interested in the special foods having shorter lines at the regular food venues is a great way to be able to try some of the foods that long lines that normally people are discouraged from trying because of longer lines.

Extending your Trip
Party tickets are half day tickets with most of the events starting in the early evening. Party tickets can be a great way to extend your trip by giving you an extra half day at a park. With most party tickets you can enter whatever park the party is taking place in as early as 4pm. So you can spend the day enjoying your resort, lounging in your pool or the other amenities at the resort and then spend the early evening into the wee hours of the morning having a blast at a park. Going to one of these parties gives you at a minimum of 5 hours at a park for in most cases less than the cost of adding on an additional day to your reservation.

The point is…
Disney party tickets are a great enhancement to your family vacation. It gives you access to some of your favorite parks with much smaller crowds. It also gives you a chance to experience special treats and shows that you wouldn’t see at any other time in your Disney stay. Party tickets are a wonderful way to add a little more magic at the most magical place on earth.

Basic Party Information

Disney H2O Glow Nights
At Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Select nights now until August 24, 2019.
Party is from 8pm to 11pm but guests with tickets may begin entering the park at 6pm.
DJ- hosted dance party on the sandy beaches of the Surf pool
Playful mix of Toy Story- themed experiences featuring Character appearances
Tempting array of limited- time food and beverage offerings
Special area just for adult party goers

Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios
Select nights now through the end of July.
3 hour park event featuring some of your favorite attractions, ice cream and popcorn carts and Character Greetings.
Purchased in advance tickets are $125 per person plus tax. Purchased the day of the price increases to $129 per person plus tax.
Ice cream novelties, popcorn and select bottled beverages are included with the cost of admission.
Guests may enter the park at 7pm with the private event taking place from 9:30pm till 12:30am.

Disney’s After Hours at Animal Kingdom
Select dates now through September 2019.
3 hour park event featuring some of your favorite attractions, ice cream and popcorn carts and Character Greetings.
Purchased in advance tickets are $125 per person plus tax. Purchased the day of the price increases to $129 per person plus tax.
Ice cream novelties, popcorn and select bottled beverages are included with the cost of admission.
Guests may enter the park at 7pm with the private event taking place from 9pm till 12am.

Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park
Select dates from now through August 8th
Three hours of access to over 20 popular attractions including thrilling villain inspired surprises at some attractions after the park closes.
Special Villains show at Cinderella’s castle and Maleficent breathing fire during the night.
You get to dress up in favorite villain gear and purchase special villain themed items.
Sinfully delicious villain-themed food and beverage offerings for purchase.
Ice cream, popcorn and select bottled beverages are included with the price.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween
Select nights from August through November at the Magic Kingdom
Trick or Treating through out the park with allergy friendly fun as well.
Costume fun for the whole family.
Your favorite characters will be in costume too and special appearances by some villainous clients.
Ghoulishly good eats, special stage shows and fireworks show.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Select dates in November and December
Select attractions are open with lower wait time
Special holiday treats and eats
Special character appearances
Cinderella’s castle shimmers, joyful music fills the air and Disney characters don their most festive attire.

Overcoming the fear of Disney World in the Summer

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We promise, you won’t melt!

Disney World in the summer. When I say those words what is the first thing you think of? Heat, humidity, sweat, the scorching sun, am I right? What if I told you that you were thinking about Disney in the summer all wrong? When I think of summer at Disney World I think low crowds, not missing school and a chance to save some money. I know people have a fear of the heat when traveling to Disney World in the summer, but I have some reasons that might cure that fear of Florida summers permanently.

Reason Number 1 Smaller Crowds: 
There are so many reasons to travel to Disney World in the summer, but the most important of these is that there is a significantly lower crowd. Most people are afraid of Disney World in two situations- the heat and the rain. This is what makes it the perfect time to go. You can walk through the park without having to bump into people. Go shopping or get food without having to push through crowded stores. You can even sit with your family to watch a show or a parade without people sitting on top of you. Most importantly though you can go from attraction to attraction with little to no wait! Just think you can go on your favorite attractions over and over again with little to no wait! Not having to spend hours in lines also means that you have the time and the freedom to truly enjoy all of the amenities that Disney World has to offer. This allows you to come and go between your resort and the parks so you get a better chance to enjoy both. You can do an early morning in the park, head back to your resort for an afternoon dip or nap and then head back to the park in the evenings. You are truly able to go with the flow and live your best life.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts mid- August. Look how low those crowds are on a summer day!

Reason Number 2, School and Cost:
The second major reason to travel to Disney World in the summer is to not miss school. There are many parents that take their children out of school during the school year for a trip, you are my people. However, there are many people who can not take their children out of school. Perhaps your child is older and is not in a grade where they can easily miss a lot of school work. A member of the family might be a teacher and is unable to miss work to spend time on a vacation. For these families there is only one option, to go when school is off. The problem with going to Disney World or really any travel destination when school is not in session is that is when everyone goes. This means crowds and usually a higher total trip cost. However, summer in Disney World does not follow this rule. Since people are afraid of the heat in Florida this is the perfect time to travel for the folks that can not miss school. The crowds are light, and the prices are typically lower. It is a win-win situation. You get to go to Disney World for less money and do not have to deal with the crowds that are typically there for spring or winter break. Yes, it is hot, but what is a little heat when you get to have a better-quality vacation for less money?

Ice Cream makes a hot day much more magical, especially if it is Mickey shaped!

Reason Number 3, The Heat:
So, let’s talk about the heat. Yes, it is hot in Florida and it is humid, but where is it not? Most of the US deals with either extreme heat, humidity or both during the summer months. The question is where do you want to deal with that heat? Do you want to be sitting on a field watching your kid play soccer or baseball or watching a Disney World parade? Do you want to be in an air-conditioned office or in an air-conditioned attraction? A hot and humid day at Disney World beats a day anywhere else. At least at Disney World there are Mickey ice cream bars!

So, let’s overcome that fear of Florida summer together. Yes, you will be hot, but that wont change if you stay home. At least if you go to Disney World you and your family get to make amazing, magical memories with low crowds while you get to save some money. So, no more fear instead lets say Disney World this summer for sure!

Tips for beating the summer heat in Disney World
No More Fear!
• Get to parks at opening, take a mid afternoon break and then return to the parks at night.
• Take advantage of your resort pool!
• Upgrade to a water park ticket! There are two water parks with so much to do!
• Take water misters that you can carry with you.
• Use hand held fans that are battery powered or that you can charge the night before! Amazon has some great options.
• Use cooling rags! The Frogg Togg cooling towels on Amazon are awesome.
• Order FREE ice water at any quick service locations.
• Use those snack credits for Ice Cream or Frozen Drinks.
• Take advantage of indoor waiting and lounging areas with air conditioning.
• Ride water rides like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids.
• Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks from the sun.
• Escape to a bathroom or a store for a blast of air conditioning.
• Make afternoon full service dining plans to sit inside and escape the heat in the worst part of the day.
• Run through the park in the afternoon rain storms. The park will empty out even more and the rain will cool you down.
• Make sure you use plenty of water proof sunscreen and reapply often. The summer sun can be      brutal to your skin if you do not protect it.

 

Traveling with a Special Needs Child

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Traveling with a Special Needs ChildThe most magical place on Earth is not always the most magical place. It can be stressful, overwhelming, and crowded. This can be difficult for any parent to navigate but this task can seem like climbing a mountain with two ton boulders tied to both your ankles for a special needs parent.

As a special needs mom, I can relate. Making the most stressful – I mean, magical place – on Earth more enjoyable may seem like an insurmountable task, but there are some tips and tricks that can make your little one’s experience at Disney the best time of their lives!

Pack light but accordingly

This may seem like a no brainer, but with all the excitement that goes into a Disney trip it is easy to forget something. Most people are great at making sure they bring all their supplies from home, but it’s very easy to leave those supplies right there in your resort as you head out for a fun-filled day at the parks.

During one of our trips my son had a colostomy bag. I thought I had packed everything and was totally prepared. An hour or two into the day at the park, his bag exploded. No big deal, I had supplies right? Wrong! I had left one of the pieces I needed to change his bag back at the resort.

Luckily there were awesome cast members who helped us out, but I have learned since then to always be prepared. I make myself a checklist and post it on the exit door to the resort. I double check my day bag right before I head out the door to ensure that my magical day isn’t ruined by a not so magical moment.

Accessories are a must

There are so many little accessories that can make a huge impact on your trip. Noise canceling headphones can be great to drown out the noise of the crowds, parades, and fireworks. Both of my children have sensory integration disorder, and have a hard time with loud sounds. Headphones are the only way my kids are able to enjoy the firework shows! Even regular headphones can be a huge help if your children have issues with loud sounds or crowds.

Fidget toys are also a great item to have for kids who need a little sensory action while waiting in the long lines or for parades. Sunglasses can also be helpful for the bright lights that can be found all around your favorite parks. If your children have a hard time with the sun or the heat, a hat and a water mister can be a life saver. There is nothing worse than your child having a meltdown when some simple accessories could have prevented the situation.

Turn your stroller into a wheelchair

Another awesomely simple way to help create a safe place for your little one during your Disney trip is to turn their stroller into a wheelchair. My son has PTSD and has a difficult time with crowds. By turning his stroller into a wheelchair he is able to have a barrier between himself and the crowds. Since his stroller is also a wheelchair, he is able to stay in his stroller through the line queue which can be full of noisy, pushy crowds. When the crowds get to be too much my son, he just pulls his hat over his face and lays down in the stroller and is able to hide from the world.

This also allows you to keep your supplies close at hand in case you need them. There is nothing worse than having to leave a line you have been waiting in for hours because your child has a crisis. Making your stroller a wheelchair can erase this problem almost completely.

Use the Program

There have been a lot of complaints among the special needs community about the changes that Disney made to the DAS (disability access service card) a few years ago. The reality, however, is that if you are informed about the new program, it can be a life saver for you and your family. When you enter your first park on the first day of your trip, simply go to guest services and ask for a DAS. They will take the picture of the individual that the pass is for and will link the pass directly to your magic bands. The whole party gets linked, so make sure everyone is with you. Then you just go to the fast pass return queue for each ride and get a return time. That’s it! Then enjoy your time until it’s your turn to ride and simply return with all the members of your party. Everyone taps their magic band and voila! Access granted.

One of the best parts of this new program is the people in queue don’t know you are using the DAS system. They simply think you have a fast pass return time. So no rude looks or comments and you get to enjoy your ride!

Planning to do anything more than just the daily routines for a special needs parent can be overwhelming. The thought of trying to make a place like Disney accessible to your special one can seem impossible. But with proper planning, a few tricks, and lots of pixie dust, your vacation can be one of the most wonderful experiences each member of the family ever has.

Traveling for a Race

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traveling for a race
I have been fortunate to experience many races. I grew up as a swimmer and runner, so most weekends involved some sort of competition. They bring an energy that can be fulfilling and addicting. Now that I am an adult, the events have shifted from an extracurricular activity to one that includes a variety of race types throughout the world. Just to give an idea of some of the races, there is the Disney World Marathon, the Tinkerbell Half Marathon, Triathlons in San Diego and an open water swim in Hawaii. There are Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons and Half Marathons in cities across the globe. There are races even in locations you wouldn’t expect, like Disney’s Castaway Cay Island in the Bahamas.

traveling for a raceTraveling for a Race

Participating in races can require travel, which can be both rewarding and cumbersome. Unlike a local 5k, there are many aspects to consider. Some things to think about are how to get there, where to stay and what equipment will be needed for the race.

Traveling with Equipment

While there are races that involve just a pair of running shoes and comfortable attire, others require much more. Triathlons are extremely popular, but require a bike. There is the option of renting a bike in the city of your race or taking your bike with you. Many airlines have specific rules, requirements and fees for bikes. One requirement that most airlines require is for your bike to be in a special box or case. Another factor to consider is that once you get to your destination you might find your hotel room so small that you are climbing over the bike for your entire stay.

Open water swims require participants to have spotters to keep an eye out for problems such as other boats. It can be tough enough to find someone that can spot for you, but now you need to make sure they can get there in order for you to participate.

traveling for a race

Hotel Location is Important

Races tend to have early start times, and a road closure or other setback can make things more complicated. I have seen many people in a sprint while approaching the starting line. I can’t imagine being out of breath before the race has even started. Selecting a hotel close in proximity to the starting line can help decrease the stress of trying to get to your race.

Not all of the planning is tedious, but that doesn’t make it less time consuming. Traveling for a race allows for a person to experience and see new places. Since a portion of your trip will be occupied with the race and recovery, you will want to make sure you optimize the rest of your time in your destination. It can be time consuming to figure out the must see and do locations for your free time.

You could spend time away from training, doing research on the travel options, or you could reach out to your trusted Travel Planner. Do yourself a favor, and once you register for one of the unique races, let someone else work on the travel portion for you. You have enough to think about as you try to increase your speed or simply train.

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