Amy - [email protected]

I will admit it: I’m a certifiable Disney addict. You could offer me a free suite in Orlando “just minutes from Walt Disney World” and I’m still going to choose to pay for a modest room on Disney property every time. Why? Here are just 10 of the reasons: 

1. Magic Your Way Vacation Packages – Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing how much your trip will really cost. Pay one price for tickets, dining, and accommodations before traveling. The only out of pocket expenses are discretionary spending and the tip portion from table service meals. This avoids the daily sticker shock of having to pay out of pocket to dine at Disney.
2. Disney’s Magical Express – Disney resort guests receive complimentary coach bus service to and from the Orlando International Airport. No need to fly with car seats. 
3.  Luggage Services – Disney guests can bypass luggage claim at Orlando International Airport and head straight to Magical Express check-in. Approximately 3 hours after landing, luggage is delivered right to your room and you don’t even have to wait around for it. When it’s time to check out, most guests flying within the U.S. can take advantage of Resort Airline Check-in. Check your bags at your resort and they’ll be waiting for you when you arrive at your home U.S. airport.
4. No Rental Car or Parking fees – All transportation around Walt Disney World is complimentary to resort guests. If you do have a car, parking is free. Off-site guests pay $20/day to park. Also note that Disney's Transportation brings guests to the front gates of each park. No half mile walk from the parking lot just to get to the front gate. No need to allow for an extra hour to park at the Ticket and Transporation Centre and wait in line for a ferry or monorail to get to Magic Kingdom.
5. 10-day Head-start on Dining Reservations – While anyone can book dining reservations 180 days ahead, only Disney resort guests get to book up to 10 days of dining past that 180 day mark. This is crucial for those nearly impossible to get reservations like Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom.
6. First Dibs at Fastpass Selection – Off-property guests can book fastpasses 30 days before their visit and must reserve them one day at a time. Disney resort guests can book 60 days in advance and choose all their fastpasses on the 60 day mark for up to 10 days out. This is the key to getting hot fastpasses like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train,  Frozen Ever After, Soarin' and Toy Story Midway Mania. 
7. Extra Magic Hours – Every day, one of the four Disney parks opens one hour early or stays open up to two hours after closing time for Disney resort guests and guests of select hotels on Walt Disney World property only.  This is especially helpful during the busier times of the year, allowing guests to experience attractions with much shorter lines.
8. Afternoon naps or swim breaks are feasible – When the sun becomes too hot and little ones (and big ones!) get tired and cranky, Disney resort guests can hop a bus or monorail back to their resort for a swim or nap – or both. Returning to an off-property resort is generally so time-consuming that it’s impractical to leave and return to a Disney park in the same day.  
9. More time at the parks – Many off-property guests find themselves cutting their park days short and missing the spectacular evening entertainment. They either need a break from park time or wish to cut costs by preparing their own meals back at the condo.  For Disney resort guests, faster access to the parks, extra magic hours, proximity for afternoon breaks, and Disney dining plans all add up to more time at the parks.
10. “The Disney Bubble” – There is just something magical about remaining on Disney property for your entire trip. You feel safe and sheltered from the rest of the world. Disney Cast members at all levels (aka “staff”) make your feel special from the moment you step off the Magical Express and are greeted with, “Welcome home!”  Many of us Disney addicts are just as in love with the Disney resorts as we are the parks.

Frozen Ever After will take you on an adventurous boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. Once inside, you will be transported to the “Winter in Summer” Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a winter-in-summer day for the entire kingdom. 
After disembarking, you can top off their “Frozen” experience by meeting the royal sisters in their new Royal Sommerhus greeting location. Inspired by a Norwegian countryside cabin, Anna and Elsa have opened their summer home for visitors.​
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Starting in early May, Guests visiting Epcot® at Walt Disney World® Resort will be able to spot Dory and some of her friends from the new film “Finding Dory” at the park’s “Turtle Talk With Crush” attraction. 
“Finding Dory” swims into theaters on June 17, 2016.
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DISNEY - The Most Magical Place on Earth.  You’ve been thinking about taking your family and now, it seems the kids are the perfect age to go.

But the Canadian Dollar is at low.  The thought about spending so much money is scary.  Especially if it’s in US Dollars.
Deciding on the time of year to go is the first step in saving some money.  From the week after American Thanksgiving until the second week of December, and the end of August are typically some of the cheapest weeks to visit Disney.  Free dining plans are often on promotion during the late summer and early fall and room savings happen at different times of the year- often with savings of 20%-30% depending on your resort. 

Many Canadian travel companies are offering what sound like amazing deals, where you can pay in Canadian Dollars, save on ticket prices, etc.  They sound good in theory…
While it may seem like you are paying more when you book directly through Disney, with a Disney Vacation Planner, there are many situations where you might actually be saving money!

You can wait until 30 days to pay the balance, or pay in instalments with 0% interest! 

There are even more perks of booking directly through Disney with a Disney Vacation Planner:
Within 30 days of travel (meaning, before the final balance of your trip is due), if you need to alter your travel plans, such as changing dates, there is virtually no penalty! 

If you change dates and the cost of the trip increases (certain days/months are more expensive than others) - YOU OWE NOTHING! If the cost of the trip decreases, there is only a $50 charge.  However, this $50 can be used to tweak your package up until the day you travel! You can upgrade your park tickets to a Hopper, or add the Memory Maker.  Even your dining reservations can be altered up to 36 hours prior to travel.
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A great Disney Vacation Planner will do everything to save you money and ensure your vacation is MAGICAL and within budget. 
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Don’t wait for the kids to be a little older, the dollar to be a little better.  Walt Disney always said “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.  All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”
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Deborah Goldberg is a TICO registered Travel Agent and a Disney Vacation Planner at Clickthemouse.ca. 

​[email protected]

Clickthemouse.ca is an Earmarked Disney Vacation Agency specializing in Disney Vacations based out of Toronto, Ontario.