Disney has finally taken guest feedback into consideration and started making some changes to the rigid dining plan we all have grown to either love or hate. Below you will find some more detailed breakdowns of some of the changes that have been made. As with anything new, we are sure this is just the beginning of the possibility of more changes in years to come. 


TABLE SERVICE ENTITLEMENTS:

• Guests who do not want a dessert will now have the ability to substitute that dessert choice for either a side salad, a cup of soup, or a fruit plate. This will be available upon request and there will not be an appetizer option made available.
• You will now have the ability to share your dining credits with other family members or friends who do not have the dining plan while dining with them. 
  
• You will now be able to mix your adult and child credits while participating on the Deluxe, Premium, or Platinum plans. You will not be allowed to do this on the Disney Dining Plan (aka Plus Dining) 

QUICK SERVICE CHANGES:

• You may now substitute any dessert or non-alcoholic beverage choice with any eligible snack, within the same transaction.  
• Guests with Quick Service Dining can also mix their adult and child credits as well.  (If you are traveling with 2 adults and 2 children you can order 4 adult meals is desired)
• If you are not hungry enough for a meal, now you may substitute one Quick Service meal for up to three snack options as long as it is within the same transaction at Quick Service dining locations or food courts.

SNACK ENTITLEMENT CHANGES:
(a snack now will be considered anything that is a single serving regardless of price)

• Single-serve non-alcoholic beverages (not in a souvenir container)
• Soups served in Quick Service locations
• Existing snacks, but ones that had an additional price, like toppings, sauces, etc. 
• All ice cream novelties
• All hand-scooped ice cream, including sundaes. (Not exceeding two scoops, and not in a souvenir container.)
• All items listed as Sides on a Quick Service menu.
•  You can choose to use 1 Quick Service meal entitlement or 3 Snack entitlements to basically build your own breakfast at Quick Service locations. Choosing items that are considered part of an entree and also offered as a side such as a Juice, side of sausage and an egg. See list below to better understand.

NEW SNACKS: 

Cereal with milk, French toast sticks, Oatmeal or quinoa, Grits, Side of bacon, Side of sausage, Side of eggs, Side of potatoes, Biscuits and gravy, Hard-boiled eggs


In my opinion it seems that these changes are really going to benefit the Quick Service guests and I believe many more guests will opt for this plan that may have not opted for it in the past. If you have any questions while on vacation make sure to ask a Cast Member to make sure you are understanding everything correctly. 

Everything about this specific blog post was somewhat therapeutic for me. It started yesterday when my almost 19 year old son booked his own weekend getaway with friends. As a mom who loves to travel whether it be day trips, weekend getaways, or far away adventures I have always traveled with my children, all of the time, since they were just little babies. How did time fly by so fast that he was now traveling with out me? It got me to thinking of how truly fast their childhood goes, whether I was ready to face it or not, he was grown up and there was no way of turning back the clocks. 

For this piece, I looked through many pictures of our trips together which brought back a flood of memories. Two of my other children looked through them with me and we spent a few good hours smiling and reminiscing of wonderful things we have done together through out the years. I looked at the pictures and some of them really felt like just yesterday but were dated up to sixteen years ago. It dawned upon me that although while you are caught up in the moment of raising young children it can seem like you have been doing it forever, but the actual time spent doing it is so much shorter when you really lay it out in numbers. 
So you ask me "What do you mean by laying it out in numbers?" and this is my reply to you. You have 18 Spring Breaks to plan together, 18 Summer vacations to take, 18 Winter breaks to cherish. When you put it into perspective as such, it can even give you an anxiety right? Such a small number before they are going to be breaking away and creating memories on their own without you. When you stop and think of it like this doesn't it make you want to jump in the car today and get out there with them? 

I am very excited for all of my children's future plans and awesome memories they are going to make as adults, I know I will make even more memories along with them as grown ups, doing things we have never done before. However I can tell you, there is nothing more priceless and more special to me than the time we have spent together traveling and seeing the world together near or far while they were youngsters. 

I only hope this ignites your spark into a fire to start making those plans on creating those awesome memories with your young children while they are still small enough to hold your hand. It does not have to be a trip across the country, visiting a local museum and staying in a local hotel, planning a weekend away, or taking that a week off to do a bunch of day trips. Remember 18 is a number that is easy to count to and sneaks up on you whether you are ready or not!

Note to self: Next time you write an emotional blog about your children growing up to fast do not listen to Adele's 'Make You Feel My Love' without a large box of tissues next to your laptop!

     Why do I love Disney? If I only had a dollar for each time someone asked me this question I surely could have retired by now. My answer to the question is long, complex, and has many parts to it, yet it is similar to asking "Why do you breathe?" You would think to yourself "Because I have to" and then laugh and wonder what idiot would even ask such a question......
     Love of Disney for most of us starts during childhood. Dressing as your favorite princess, meeting her in person after watching all of her movies and memorizing her songs or dressings as your favorite Hero and practicing your special hero moves then grabbing his autograph during a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland with your family. All of that sparked your imagination and allowed you to dream, something Disney stands for. 
     Some of us may have not been lucky enough to take a Disney vacation as children but have worked hard and saved every penny as adults to travel there with our own children. Getting to see the look on your child's face when entering main street for the first time and seeing the castle can be absolutely priceless. Watching your children enjoy their time while on vacation and bonding as a family of your own is just truly amazing. 
     We love Disney movies, their characters, books, dolls, games and so much more! We love getting swept away in the stories and their happy endings. We find ourselves singing along to the songs even when the kids are not around! There are not many people who can say they have not sang "Let It Go" at least once this year.
     For me, personally, Disney is allowing me to live a dream, my dream, as an adult doing something I have wanted to do my whole entire life. Disney not only allows me to enjoy myself as a guest when I travel to different Disney destinations, but as a travel planner who creates the magic for my clients who either are already in love with Disney like I am or who are traveling on a Disney vacation for the first time and just do not know how much they love it yet. Disney gives people like me an opportunity to create magical memories for other families and allows me to live my dream by doing it. I had a dream, I was able to live it, and Disney has provided me the ability to do so. I loved Disney as a child and I love Disney now as an adult. I feel blessed and thankful that I have Disney in my life. It is a part of me, the optimistic, dreamer, inspired part of me. Why do you love Disney?

For us die hard Disney fans, this movie is sure to touch you and truly remind you of what Mr. Walt Disney himself stood for. The movie starts out at the 1964 NYC World's Fair while "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" is playing in the background. That alone is bound to raise arm hairs of the true Disney fanatic. The actual message of the movie represented just that. As caretakers of the future and of the earth, we need to remember such a thing. The movie stands for future dreamers, and innovators, as well as hope and inspiration, exactly what we need in today's world. Bravo to Mr. Clooney who participated in such a film. His performance was great, as Mr. Frank Walker, a pessimist who is sure the earth and all who reside on it will die within a short amount of time, until he meets Casey Newton (played by Britt Robertson) an optimist who believes anything is possible if you believe it. 

Without giving away any of the movie, the shear impression this film presses upon you and leaves you walking out with is one worth going to see, Disney fan or not. This was the first movie in a long time that I left the theater feeling truly inspired to continue teaching my children absolutely anything is possible if they believe in it and work hard enough for it. 


This is a film Mr. Disney himself would be very proud of and makes me thrilled to be a lifetime fan of all things Disney! I hope you take my advice and see this film with your children, your family, or even on your own. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. 

Disney Cruise Line will return to New York for a limited time in October 2016 with sailings to the Bahamas that include a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. This is amazing news for us who live on the east coast especially in the Tri-State area! Forgo the airfare and save your money for souviners! The sailings are so limited that they will sure to be selling out quickly!

Return to New York
On Oct. 7, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on an eight-night Bahamian cruise that includes stops at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and Port Canaveral, Florida, which is located just one hour from the Walt Disney World Resort.

On Oct. 15, 22 and 29, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on seven-night cruises that stop at Disney Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral.

Adding to the magic on each of these Bahamian cruises will be the opportunity to visit the Walt Disney World Resort when the ship stops at nearby Port Canaveral. Each Guest on these sailings will receive a 1-Day Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper Option and round-trip transportation for the short trip between the ship and the Walt Disney World Resort.

On Oct. 2, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on a five-night cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. In these charming Canadian ports, Guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and shops, and browse Canada's oldest farmer's market.

Bookings for the new itineraries are open to the Platinum and Gold Castaway Club Members on May 19th 2015 and to the general public on May 20th 2015. For more information or to book a cruise before they sell out, contact us today at Info@starstufftravel.com