One of my favorite reasons to stay on Disney property while visiting Walt Disney World is the fact that once you land in Orlando airport and step foot off the plane you are part of the magic! From the airport Disney Store to the 'Feel' of the all around pixie dust there is no denying you are on your way to a magical vacation. Disney also offers an amazing complimentary shuttle service to its on property guests called the Magical Express and it totally lives up to its name. Skip the baggage claim and all of that hassle and jump on to a very merry bus that is decorated in the utmost Disney design playing Disney themed movies on the t.v. system while you are on your way to your Disney resort (believe me your Disney adrenaline is pumping from the moment you step aboard this shuttle). Once at your resort of course you are surrounded by all things Disney from sun up to sun down. Pretty much you are in "The Disney Bubble". Every onsite Disney resort has that extraordinary feel with impeccable guest service. Ever wonder what it may feel like having a Fairy Godmother? Stay at a WDW resort and you will have your answer. Stay in a character themed suite at Art of Animation, a Pirate room at Caribbean Beach Resort, or maybe a Royal Guest Room at Port Orleans Riverside. Newly imagined Disney story rooms add to the fantasy that lasts through out your vacation! You can always take advantage of your onsite resort hotel entertainment. Things such as themed pools with slides that are unlike any other hotel pools, outdoor Disney movie screenings, and even Character dining that is provided at some of their resorts!

Of course, if you are driving in (which I have done in the past) they offer free parking at your resort as well as complimentary parking at all theme parks with a valid Key To The World or Resort Guest Parking Pass. This becomes very helpful at the end of a very long day at the parks. There is no need wait in line for your resort bus while carrying your sleeping child and traveling through various bus stops when you have your own car. You can also save money! Yes, staying onsite sometimes can actually save you money. WDW theme park parking for off site guests traveling in an automobile is $17.00 per day, you can imagine that you can save over $100.00 in parking fees if you are on vacation for 7 days if you stay on property.

Another one of my favorites is the Extra Magic Hours. Who doesn't want to experience more magic on their vacation? Each day attractions are open longer at one specific park for onsite WDW guests only. Once during Extra Magic Hours we rode Splash Mountain 12 consecutive times as well as Pirates of the Caribbean with no wait since it was late at night and the park was bare! In some cases they will have their Extra Magic Hours in the morning which can also be helpful, allowing you to take advantage to an early morning start, doing things before the crowds, and being able to enjoy some time back at the pool in the mid-day heat while everyone else is waiting on long lines. 

Only guests staying onsite can participate in the Disney Dining Plan. For me personally, there are a vast array of reasons why I love the dining plan Disney offers. First and foremost it is very convenient. I love the fact that I can pay for my vacation and all of its benefits before I leave the house, arrive at the resort and generally never have to reach into my wallet again unless I am looking for money for Disney souvenirs (or of course gratuities). I know once we get there everything pretty much is taken care of. Of course another reason is the food. If you have visited WDW before you know what I am talking about. There are more than 100 restaurants in WDW and the food is amazing. From character dining for the kids to fancy dinners with your loved one you will find it here. WDW dining reservations are a must and they book up almost in an instant. For guests who have a stay booked onsite they can make they're dining reservations 180 days prior to their arrival. 

With all of that being said, being in the Disney bubble through out my vacation is the main reason I enjoy staying on property. Shielded, for the most part, from ordinary life for the week, being immersed in an all Disney atmosphere is a Disney fanatics dream! Have you stayed on property before? What is your favorite part of being an onsite guest? If you have not yet stayed onsite, what are you looking forward too?

Good news for Lego fans big and small! While visiting New York you will not have to head to the crowded tourist region of the Rock in order to get your Lego fix! The newest Lego store is now located at 200 5th ave. between 23rd and 24th streets and is the first store to ever have the Lego Lounge with comfortable seating and charging stations for tired parents as well as Lego books, Lego carpet, and even Duplo Legos in a preschool play area. The LEGO Store Flatiron District will host its grand opening on Columbus Day weekend, with festivities kicking off on Friday from 4-6 p.m. As part of the celebration, LEGO Master Builders will be hosting events in nearby Madison Square Park (One of my favorite NYC parks) throughout the holiday weekend, and everyone is invited to help. (All participants will receive a “Certificate of Achievement” for taking part.) They are having some amazing Grand Opening events! 

October 10-13 — Madison Square Park, South End

Friday, October 10: 4pm-6pm

Saturday, October 11: 11am-6pm

Sunday, October 12: 11am-6pm

Monday, October 13: 11am-6pm

You can help three LEGO Master Builders construct a 20-foot tall LEGO model of the Statue of Liberty completely out of LEGO bricks! You'll even get a Certificate of Achievement for participating.

Plus, you’ll see a huge selection of LEGO sets, hands-on play opportunities, 3D LEGO mosaics, and life size LEGO models, including a 13-foot model of the Statue of Liberty Torch! It's free and fun for the whole family--just don't forget your camera!

Be one of the first 300 people to make a qualifying purchase this weekend only and you'll receive one of these daily offers:

Friday: FREE Collectible LEGO Store T-shirt

Satruday: FREE Limited-Edition LEGO Store set

Sunday: FREE Exclusvie LEGO Minifigure set

Monday: FREE Statue of Liberty set

Anyone visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios over the next few days (Oct. 6th thru 9th) that will want to ride Toy Story Mania must make reservations with FastPass+ to ride it.

Walt Disney World is running a test through Thursday that requires FastPass+ to board the popular ride. They recently tried a similar experiment for a meet-and-greet with Anna and Elsa of "Frozen" at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney is handing out additional paper FastPasses at Hollywood Studios to meet demand, spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said. She would not disclose numbers.

As a travel planner, I love the fact that Disney makes it a priority to plan your vacation before you leave home, assuring your money and time are both well spent and will create an amazing vacation. As a parent, I also know things do not always fall into place as we hoped and changes need to be made on a whim. Where do you stand with this news? 

Disney Visa® Card members can enjoy two special offers this winter at the Walt Disney World®Resort.

Cardmembers can Play, Stay, Dine and Save up to $600* on a 5-night/6-day Walt Disney Travel Company room, ticket and dining plan package for a family of four at select Walt Disney WorldResort hotels for stays most nights Dec. 14-20, 2014 and Jan. 5-March 7, 2015 when they book now-Dec. 29, 2014

Maybe you are interested in a room-only offer? Cardmembers can save up to 30%** on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights Jan. 5-March 28, 2015 when they book now-Dec. 31, 2014.

The deposit must be paid with a Disney Visa Card at the time of booking. The reservation must be booked in the Disney Visa Card member’s name. Contact a travel planner at www.Sweptawaytravel.net to book your vacation with as little as a $200.oo deposit!

It is finally here, a shop dedicated to us Haunted Mansion fans! For starters, I myself am completely and utterly over the moon about this new gift shop! Memento Mori opened its doors on October 1st for its soft launch in the former Yankee Trader location in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom. As a Haunted Mansion fanatic I must say this shop will be added to one of my favorites! You will be able to find everything from Haunted Mansion Tees, artwork, sculptures, phone cases, tableware, and so on! The pricing for items here ranges anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds but there is something here for everyones budget that is for sure.
One of the neatest things I have seen offered here is the 'Spirit' souvenir photo where your spirit is captured and printed on holographic changing images and printed on a cardboard frame, you can take it home for the very affordable price of $20.00 (you can upgrade the frame for additional pricing). 
Are you as excited about this store as I am? Will you be visiting on your next trip to Walt Disney World? 

Ok, so are you really that surprised that Disney has announced yet another hard ticket event for the one and only Frozen? You are either smiling with joy or grinding your teeth at this point. Either way, there is no better time to be in Walt Disney World so lets just say you are smiling with joy! Listed below is a description of what WDW is now offering at the one and only Hollywood Studios. What do you think? Sound like something you may take advantage of?

The magic begins as you enjoy reserved viewing in the Premiere Theater for the “For the First Time in Forever: AFrozen Sing-Along Celebration.” Take in the dazzling performance as you sing along with Anna, Elsa and the newly appointed royal historians of Arendelle.

In addition, don’t miss your chance to experience the spectacular Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights—all from a reserved location at the end of Streets of America. But that’s not the end of the winter wonder waiting for you at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—soak up the sights as you sip on specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and sink your teeth in Frozen-themed desserts. You’ll even receive a special holiday lithograph and Frozen pin to commemorate your place of honor at the festivities!

The Disney Hollywood Studios Frozen Holiday Premium Package can be purchased for $89 per adult or $59 for children (ages 3 to 9), tax and gratuity included. Please note: a separate ticket for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required and is not included in this package price.

Be sure to purchase in advance—quantities are limited and the holiday season only lasts so long! The bundle is offered from November 7 to November 19, 2014; November 21 to December 9, 2014; and December 11, 2014 to January 4, 2015. For purchase, please call (407) 939-1854. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.