Wordless Wednesday--Tie-dyed cheesecake, anyone?

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Where do you find it, you ask?  Disney's Pop Century Resort, of course!



--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday--Daddy's Girl



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Magical Memory Monday--Happy Birthday, Walt!



Magical Memory

Mondays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith



Today's Magical Memory Monday is dedicated to the man who is responsible for all of the Magical Memories that have been made over the years--Happy 110th Birthday, Walter Elias Disney, aka Walt Disney!  Thanks for the Memories!!!

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company



Tuesday's Terrific Tip--Map It!



Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Today's Terrific Tip comes from Allison!  Allison says you should plan out your day using a park map--decide ahead of time what things you want to do and when.  You can move from the front of the park to the back; you can hop around and do the things you want to do; or work your way towards where you have meal reservations, so you'll be near the restaurant when it's time to eat.; or you can work your way from the back of the park to the front, so that you finish at the bus stop or Monorail station.  Most of all, be flexible and have fun!

--Post by Allison and  Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Just in time for the opening of the new Muppet Movie!



--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Happy Birthday, Mickey!!!



Fun Fact Fridays

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Today is Mickey Mouse's 83rd birthday!  Happy Birthday, Mickey!!!

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesdays--Hawaiian Fun with Mickey Mouse



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesdays--Cooling Off--Disney®-Style



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Cooling off, Disney®-style!



--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday--Cooling Off on a Hot September afternoon



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith



--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesdays--Magical Face-Painting

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Even the face painting is more Magical at Disney World®!  Isn't she beautiful?!?

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company



Tuesday's Terrific Tip--Try It!



Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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Photo taken by a nice stranger--thanks!



Because we visit Disney World® at least once a year, we try to look for ways to change up our trip each time we're there.  We try new restaurants, new snacks, new resort, or throw in a "special" experience and surprise Sarah and Allison!  Last year, we surprised the girls and took them to see Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba® at Downtown Disney®!  Alan and I had a lot of fun knowing we were going, and the girls saying they wished we could go see La Nouba® every time they saw a promotion about it (if you've watched the Must See's in your resort room, you'll know that it happens several times a day!).  They were so excited to find out we were going to the show!  Alan even threw in his own surprise--he was joining us late in the trip, and arrived a day early and surprised us by showing up and meeting us at Epcot®!

This year, we tried out a new resort--All-Star Music Family Suites®.  I was hesitant about this--we've really become "Deluxe Snobs," after staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort® for the past few years.  We were pleasantly surprised, though, and really enjoyed our stay--in fact, we are going to try the Family Suites at Disney's new Art of Animation Resort® next fall!  We can't wait!  Other new things that happened on this past trip--I finally tried the famous Dole Whip® (I loved the orange flavor--yummy!), we did breakfast at Chef Mickey's®, rather than dinner, we tried Via Napoli® for dinner (a new favorite restaurant!), we rode the new Star Tours® (4 or 5 times!) and my Mom rode Pirates of the Caribbean®, conquering one of her fears (we were so proud of her!).

Now, to start planning next year's "Try It's" and "Surprises"...new resort, more new meals, thinking about checking out Typhoon Lagoon® (the girls are dying to go there!), and I may surprise the girls with tickets to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party® (they've wanted to do this for years!)...shhh!  Don't tell!  It'll be our little secret!

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday--Look Grandmommy!

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Allison showing Grandmommy something "cool" in one of the fishtanks at Epcot's® The Seas with Nemo and Friends® Attraction--we could spend HOURS in here!



--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday--A Day at the Drive In (Sci-Fi Dine In®)



Wordless Wednesdays

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Hmmm...wonder if this is a glimpse into the future?!?

--Photo and post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Magical Memory Monday--Scuba Anyone?



Magical Memory

Mondays

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On my most recent trip to Disney World®, I got to experience something I'd heard about, but never seen--a diving tour in the tanks at The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends®, located at Epcot's Future World®.  It was SO cool getting to see the divers, all guests at Disney World®, in the tank looking at the fish swimming around them. 

A lot of the divers realized they had an audience, and started waving to the onlookers and doing flips for us. 

We then realized that some of the divers had family members and friends in the crowd of onlookers!  It was so exciting for them to see each other! 

My favorite moment, however, came when one little girl saw her daddy swimming in the tank...

When I saw this, I actually teared up...how sweet!

I had heard about people doing this, but actually seeing it was amazing!  It's almost worth learning how to scuba dive, just to be able to interact with my girls like this! 

If you're interested in doing this tour yourself, you can check it out here.  Epcot® also offers another in-water experience for the not-so-brave, which you can check out here.  Me, I'm just gonna stick to being an observer for now!

--Written by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

(all photos taken by Missy Smith)

Where Am I?

Where Am I?

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Picture taken by Missy Smith

Can you guess where this scrumptious-looking dessert can be found?  Post your answer in the "comments" section!

--Written by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday--Poolside dancing at All-Star Music

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company







Fun Fact Fridays

Fun Fact Fridays

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Did you know that there are more than 300 lane miles of paved roads at the Disney World Resort®?

--Written by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

OK, so this isn't so "wordless."  I took this on our first day at Disney World® recently...we'd been up since 4am...amazing how differently kids react to tiredness!  Even more amazing--these are opposite of the way they usually are when they're tired!

--Written by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company



Wordless Wednesdays

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

Happy Birthday to Me!



Tuesday's Terrific Tip

Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

When transferring from one park to another or from one resort to another, such as for dining reservations, make sure you give yourself about 1 1/2 hours to make your transfer.   It actually does take that long sometimes.  And if it takes a shorter time?  It's always polite to be a little early for meals!

--Written by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

--Post by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company



Wordless Wednesday--Welcome to Disney World®

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith



Can't wait to see this wonderful sight when I arrive at Disney World® on Monday!

--Written by Missy Smith, Magical Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company



Where am I?



Where Am I?

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Here's a picture I took during my last Disney trip...what is this psychedelic dessert, and where would I find it?  Put your answer in the Comments below.  Good luck!



Photo taken by Missy Smith

--Post by Missy Smith, Travel Planner at 3D Travel Company



Wordless Wednesday--ballet break



Wordless Wednesdays

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Taking a break from miniature golf at Fantasia Gardens to practice our ballet!

--Post by Missy Smith of 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday--Hangin' With the Girls



Wordless Wednesdays

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Hangin' with the girls at Disney World®

--Post by Missy Smith, Travel Specialist with 3D Travel Company

Tuesday's Terrific Tip--What shoes should I wear?

Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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I'm leaving for Disney World® soon, so one of the big things I always think about is...what kind of shoes are going to help me and my feet survive the many miles I'll walk in the Parks® during my vacation?  My current favorite shoe is the Crocs Athens!

This is a picture of the pair of shoes I just received in the mail a few days ago!  They're so squishy!!!  And comfy!  Best of all, they give me the support I want for my feet both during my vacation and for everyday use!  For me, and many others, Crocs are the shoe of choice for a Disney® vacation!

Other shoe choices that are popular--Tevas, Adidas athletic flip-flops (my 2nd choice in great shoes), or a quality pair of tennis shoes (make sure you wear socks, so you don't get blisters!).  Whatever you choose, make sure the shoes are high-quality and comfortable.  Break in new shoes a few weeks before your vacation--new shoes are notorious for causing blisters!  What to do if you DO still end up with a blister?  Try some moleskin (make sure you pack some to take with you!), or if nothing else, a few bandaids.

Is your vacation booked yet?  If it is, it's time to start looking for your "Disney® shoes!"  Good luck!!! 

--Written by Missy Smith, Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

One of the best parts of beginning your Disney® Vacation is walking in your resort room and seeing this that says, "Welcome to Disney World®!"

Tuesday's Terrific Tip--The Best Autograph Pen?



Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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Photo taken by Missy Smith

One of my girls' favorite things to do over the years has been to get autographs of all the characters they meet up with, either strolling through the parks, at designated Meet and Greets, or at Character Meals.  We've found that while they sell cool-looking Disney-themed pens near the Autograph Books in all the gift shops, the best pens for getting autographs are black retractible fine-tipped Sharpies.  They're not too expensive to pick up before you leave for your vacation, and they're great because they're retractible!  Some of the characters will even have "fun" with that feature!  BTW, I've read that red ink can permanently stain the characters' costumes, so they often won't use red ink pens or markers, so if you are thinking of trying different colors, keep that in mind.  We like to keep it simple, though, and just stick with the black.

--Written by Missy Smith, Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Fun Fact Fridays

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If you've been to Disney World ®, you've seen Spaceship Earth, the large geodesic dome that is Epcot's® trademark attraction.  Most people, however, call it "the giant golf ball."  Did you know that if Spaceship Earth were really a golf ball, the golfer would need to be a mile tall to play golf with it?!?  Imagine that!

Photo taken by Missy Smith



--Post by Missy Smith, Travel Planner at 3D Travel Company

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith





Tuesday's Terrific Tip--Making Dining Reservations

Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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Today's Terrific Tip is to make sure you make your dining reservations for your Disney® vacation 180 days before your arrival date or as soon as you've paid your deposit (if you're less than 180 days from your arrival date)!  Some of Disney's® most popular restaurants, such as Cinderella's Royal Table and Le Cellier have been known to book up 180 days out.  Don't want to get up at 6am and make dining reservations?  No problem!  That's what I'm here for!  Book your vacation through me, and I'll get up and make your reservations for you while you sleep or get ready for work or school!

Can't I just wait and walk up to a restaurant and put my name on "the list" when I get there?  Not necessarily.  Many, if not all, of the table-service restaurants at Disney World® will have a long wait or no availability if you do that, even if you go in the off-season.  Who wants to waste time during their vacation waiting to get a seat at a restaurant?  Certainly not me!  There is just too much to do at Disney®!  So, start planning early, so you'll have a better chance of getting to eat at your favorite Disney® restaurant!

Dinner at Le Cellier

--Written by Missy Smith, Travel Planner at 3D Travel Company





Wordless Wednesday



Wordless Wednesdays

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Photo taken by Missy Smith (Sept '10)


Allison and Grandmommy enjoy a special moment outside of Minnie's House!

--Post by Missy Smith, Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with 3D Travel Company

Tuesday's Terrific Tip



Tuesday’s Terrific Tip

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Photo taken by Missy Smith (Sept '10)

Today's Terrific Tip comes direct from Princess Sarah...

"When you visit the Parks, you should get an extra map.  That way, if you lose one, you'll have an extra one." 

As an Aspie, Sarah sometimes like to be in control during our trip, and likes to know what's going on.  We've found that if she gets to carry her own map, she feels much more sure of herself.  It's also educational--she's learning how to read and follow a map--but we won't tell her that!  She has a good point, though...you never know when you're going to set your map down and forget it.  If you have an extra one, no problem!  If you don't have an extra, still no problem--you can pick one up in several locations around the Parks--gift shops, kiosks, etc.  Happy Touring!

--Written by Sarah and Missy Smith, Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with 3D Travel Company