Are you awake? I hope so, if you are reading this blog post! But, if you are, by chance, reading while asleep, then wake up right now and make your dining reservations for Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World!
It may feel early to be thinking about Christmas…but in 60 days, Walt Disney World kicks off its holiday season in an official way on Friday, November 13 with a tree-lighting at Disney Springs.
Do you love candy? and Halloween? If so, go to Disney World’s Halloween Party! In addition to the shows, rides and a parade, there will be trick or treating for all ages throughout the theme park. Here are my tips for having a fun but low-key trick or treating experience during the party.
Are you planning to visit Fort Wilderness to see the horses or Halloween decorated-campsites (or both) this fall? Of course, you are, because this the year to go! As I mentioned in my last two articles, free activities at Fort Wilderness are the perfect complement to a vacation of going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
While you are there (because you are going, right?), you might also want to catch a free, outdoor movie! All Disney World Resorts offer outdoor movies. But there is no place better at Disney World to watch a “Movie Under the Stars” than Fort Wilderness: it offers seating, a campfire and refreshments for sale. And immaculate vibes! Continue reading “Halloween Movies Under the Stars at Disney’s Fort Wilderness”
To get an idea of how amazing the Halloween displays at Fort Wilderness campgrounds are, watch this video from the Goo to Youbrothers.
Note: you will also see the Golf Cart parade and the party which is only available to guests at the campsites and cabins, as it happens after the resort closes to non-registered guests on October 26.
Are you planning a Halloween trip to Walt Disney World this year? Make this part of your vacation plan!
Are you planning to visit Walt Disney World this fall? If so, you’re probably planning to go to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival or Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Or — if you’re like me — both!
And while these events are amazing, make time in your vacation schedule to also visit Disney Springs. Disney Springs has stores like World of Disney and many, many restaurants and snack kiosks. It also has free entertainment. Here are some of the things you can look forward to doing and eating at Disney Springs. Continue reading “Halloween Fun at Disney Springs”
World Princess Week is almost here…but the treats have already arrived! From themed treats available year-round to limited-time specials, here are the ones you’ll find in the parks…
Before you get too excited — there are some blackout dates around Thanksgiving time (I know! I was bummed, too!) and it is only good for the return trip — Sanford to Lorton, VA. Here are the details…
The drive from All Star Sports to the train station in Sanford is 42 miles.
Travel is only good from Sanford, Florida to Lorton, Virginia.
The train leaves at 4 pm but you’d have to be there no later than 1 pm.
The sale is good for travel on a day between September 7 and December 13, except these blackout dates: November 20, 21, 22, 23 and November 27, 28 and 29.
Coach fare is $39 per person. Cost for a regular car is $225.
A roomette for 1 person is $239 and includes meals. For two, people it’s $339 (they are usually quite a bit more expensive)
A bedroom (with toilet and shower) for 1 person is $439. For 2: $539
But before you take out your credit card, let’s do the math…
I calculated a trip with this sale’s discounted fare and without it. As a solo traveler with a car, traveling in coach, I would pay about $670 roundtrip. Most of that fare is for the transport of my car, there and back. It works out to about $150 less than for a non-sale Auto Train ticket. That would involve sleeping in a seat for the departure and return trips. A roomette or bedroom would be considerably more, although the sale does offer a discount on the way back. Even with the discount, my roundtrip fare would at least double if I had a bed.
Now, let’s look at flights. For $670, I could fly roundtrip from Washington to Orlando. I would choose a plane over the Auto Train any time.
Then I looked at round trip, coach fares for a family of four, using the sale price on Amtrak and I looked at the prices for a group of six. The family of four would pay $300 per person roundtrip. AÂ group of six would pay $250 per person. Food would be additional and you would not sleep in a bed at night. The savings are minimal.
I live in the same county as Lorton in Virginia, and I always thought I’d try the Auto Train one day. But I’ve heard about significant delays and noise. Evidently, the horn blows all night long and the train rumbles and shakes. Because of this, I would find it difficult to sleep. I think it would detract from my Walt Disney World vacation, if only because of the fatigue associated with lost sleep.
That said, a couple of hundred thousand passengers travel this way every year and so there must be a good reason for it. I suppose for many travelers, a car is essential for the nature or duration of their trip. A good reason to choose the Auto Train is if you have a fear of flying or just really hate flying. There are medical reasons why some travelers do not fly in airplanes.
So, what do you think? Have you traveled on the Auto Train to Disney World before? Would you recommend it?
Amtrak Auto Train Flash Sale Terms and Conditions from the website
Valid on Northbound Auto Train (52) only. Valid for Auto Train Coach, Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Accessible Rooms. Coach: $39. Roomette: Single Occupancy $239. Double Occupancy $339. Bedroom: Single Occupancy $439. Double Occupancy $539. Accessible Room: Single Occupancy $239. Double Occupancy $339.
Fare Rules: Changes and Cancellation rules of the fare purchase apply.
Valid routes: Northbound Auto Train (52).
Class restrictions: Coach and Private Room.
Sale, Travel Dates, Blackout Dates and Advance Purchase Requirement: Sales Dates: August 6, 2026 – August 14, 2026. Travel Dates: September 7, 2026 – December 13, 2026. Blackout Dates: November 20 – November 23, 2026 and November 27 – November 29, 2026.
Advance Purchase Requirement: None.
Additional Information: Discounts are available for specific passenger types.
Fares for private rooms (roomettes, bedrooms and accessible rooms) include rail and accommodation charges. Discount fares do not include the required vehicle charge.
Double occupancy requires the same reservation and travel in the same, shared accommodation.
Coach: Changes are not permitted. Cancellations permitted prior to departure; 50 percent cancellation fee applies.
Private Rooms: 15 days prior to scheduled departure, a 25 percent cancellation fee applies. 14 days or less prior to departure: 25 percent fee, 75 percent to non-refundable eVoucher.
Seating is limited and may not be available on all trains, dates or departures.
Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice.
If you were thinking about going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, I have good news for you. Airfares right now are at low rates for fall flights and Party tickets are still available for these dates (10 dates have already sold out).
These airfares are available as of Friday night, August 7. They are likely limited in supply, so if you see a date you like, snap it up. I priced airfares from my home airport. But you may find similar low rates for late August, September and October. Continue reading “Low-Priced Autumn Airfares to Disney World”
Download the Google Doc of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party trip planning pages (click “make a copy” to view, print and input your travel details).
Are you going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year? Here are 10 less-than-well-known tips that may save you time, money and aggravation so that you have the best time ever! Oh, and thanks so much for your likes, comments and shares! Now let’s see those tips…
A fun part of going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is taking lots of pictures, but have you ever tried Magic Shots? Magic Shots are photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers that include Disney-themed images and special effects.
Here’s how it works: the photographer will take your photo — and with Disney Magic, only you and/or your guests will appear in the photo! After your session, scan your MagicBand to upload the photos to your account, which will typically appear by the next day. You can then decide which photos you would like to purchase (you do not have to purchase any). Some guests purchase the “Memory Maker” photo package up front, which allows them to download a certain amount of photos for a fixed fee.
Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog
Want to know exactly where to find the exclusive Magic Shots and Disney PhotoPass Service Photographers? Read on…
Are you going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World this year? You’re going to have a wonderful time! A big part of the festivities is seeing lots of Disney characters. At the park entrance, you’ll receive a map and brochure indicating all the characters that will be appearing at the Party — but the brochure and map is not very specific about the details. No worries — you can see them here!
Take note of which characters you can “view” as opposed to those you can “meet and greet” (take pictures with and get autographs). The characters that only appear outdoors usually do not appear when it is raining. So, you may wish to prioritize seeing characters that appear indoors when it rains.
Keep in mind that you’ll see even more characters in the Boo to You Parade, like Captain Hook, Jafar, Snow White, Rapunzel, Chip and Dale (and more). The eerie Dr. Facilier (The Princess and the Frog) makes a terrific appearance in the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular!
You may have heard of the Halloween party that is offered at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World — Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Taking place from August 7 to October 31 on select nights, the popular event sells out every year.
This year, party-goers have their pick of 38 dates. Halloween night is always the first date to sell out. Here are the party dates (the ones in orange are expired or sold out). I will update this blog frequently with new updates!
August Party Dates: 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
September Party Dates: 1, 4, 8,11, 13, 15, 18,20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29
October Party Dates: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18,22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mary here with a quick announcement to let you know about a special opportunity…most of the Fort Wilderness campsites at Walt Disney World for late October are gone months in advance. Well, I found one that is left.
There is an opening — it may be gone by the time you read this — for a campsite for the Monday, October 26 – Thursday, October 29. I would have grabbed this for myself except I already have hotel reservations I booked months ago. The rate is $131.67/night. That’s a better rate than anything at Disney that week UNLESS you have a bounce back rate (like I do). If you do, you can get All Star Sports for those same dates (3 nights) for $118/night.
Eight people may be on the reservation. The campsite has room for two tents and a car or small camper and there is electric hookup. Campers can rent golf carts by the day, which would come in handy, if you’re looking at all the Halloween-decorated campsites. You could also rent bikes. Like all Disney accommodations, you will have access to bus and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom and Disney transportation to other parks and resorts. The pool area was recently renovated.
Seating and phone charging area outside of Citrico’s, Grand Floridian resort
Disney vacations can be lots of fun…but they can also be a lot, especially the crowds.
Travel and disruptions in routines are harder for some of us to deal with than others.
If you, like me, are an introvert and benefit from having the self-care of quiet time to relax and reflect every day, then you might want to add this list of quiet and uncrowded retreats to your Disney Planner.
Don’t you think the right bag makes a huge difference when you travel? I prefer to travel light because it’s easier for me and it saves me money. There are some bags I have purchased that are really making my trips better and I wanted to share them with you, in case you are looking for a bag.
I hope you find the perfect bag for you! Now, how about printing and trimming your Packing Lists to go into your Disney Planner?
Learn about how to celebrate Bastille Day at Disney World.
Discover fun things to do at the France Pavilion at Epcot.
Download your Bastille Day Walt Disney World itinerary and planner pages for your Disney Planner.
Bonjour, friends! July is a historic month for fireworks and freedom, not just here in the States, but also across the Atlantic. July 14th marks La Fête Nationale—better known to us as Bastille Day!
You don’t need a passport to experience French culture on Bastille Day. You can explore the gorgeously designed France Pavilion at Epcot. I have a plan all set for experiencing French culture and treats. Continue reading “French Food and Fun at Disney World”
Learn about the importance of intentional heat management
Explore ways to hydrate and stay cool at Disney World
Discover where to go in Disney World to stay cool
Download my Low Key Disney Planner pages (free printable) with heat management and Disney Rash tips (Google Docs link):
Please review any of these suggestions with a qualified medical professional.
This week, temperatures in the mid-Atlantic will soar over 100 degrees. But in Disney World, where the degrees will be lower, the sun and humidity contribute to the temperatures to create “real-feel” temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.
It is hot in Disney World from late March until mid-October.  If you are planning to go to Walt Disney World during a hot month, there’s three things you need to do. You need to
1) Understand how heat may affect you personally — depending on your age, health conditions, fitness level and tolerance for heat.
2) Prepare in advance for ways to manage the heat at Disney World, including a specific plan for keeping cool and hydrated.
3) Be aware of the signs of heat-related illness, so you can respond quickly.
Have you heard the news? Fourth of July weekend is going to be hot! And while it will be VERY hot in Orlando, incredibly, it will be cooler there than it is in Virginia, where I live! So, I will be joining ABC’s David Muir, thousands of Disney fans and maybe you! and heading to Disney World to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Continue reading “Independence Day at Disney World”
Planning a Disney vacation is a lot of work. There are so many details to note and remember and it can be overwhelming. So, I created a low-tech Disney Planner. I wanted it to be affordable, easy to use and lightweight, so I could put in my purse or park bag. But I also wanted it to include all the information I needed to have at my fingertips, like my hotel room confirmation numbers and flight arrangements. Continue reading “Free Printable Disney Vacation Planner”
