Tag: Disney Dining Plan

Get the Best Discount on Your Disney Vacation

February 20, 2014

Are you looking to get the best discount on your Disney vacation? I have had clients refrain from booking their vacation because they are waiting for a specific discount to be released. I totally get that. We all are looking to get the most for our money, but often times this is not the best way to save money on a Disney vacation. Not only that, you could potentially miss out on that special restaurant or certain experience if you wait too long. Today, I will walk though a timeline of booking and how an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner like MickeyTravels is your best bet for saving money (and time!)

book Disney how far in advance

With the popularity of the Disney dining plan, it is ideal to book your vacation at least 180 days out. Doing this gives you the best chance of getting all of your dining choices. With that said, there certainly may not be any discounts running at the time you would need to book. Not a problem! Did you know that all it takes is a $200 deposit to book your Disney vacation?! The remaining balance is not due until 45 days prior to your vacation. That $200 will allow your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (MickeyTravels!) to begin making magic by booking all of your wonderful dining, excursions, etc.

hotel room discount

Worried the price won’t go down? As a vacation planner, I continually monitor all my client’s packages for new discounts. As a professional, I’ve learned from experience that the discounts often overlap, so even though you cannot stack discounts, one will always be better than the other! You may book with a “30% off room” and then later a “free dining” comes out. I can take out all the guesswork and just relay how much money I saved you by applying a new discount. There is no need for you to keep pricing it out; I will do it for you!

Worried that your dates might not match the discount dates? No problem, as long as you are 45 days out we can modify your package as needed to get the discount (assuming availability exists). For this reason, I advise clients to hold off on booking their airfare, since that is the piece that generally cannot be changed (at least without a hefty cost).

budget

Another thing to note is that discounts are by room category. Waiting it out generally means that even though you can get the discount, you might have to pay for a higher room category. The “standard” rooms book up quick so you don’t want to waste your money on a view that is not important to you.

There are some MAGICAL discounts running RIGHT now!

Are you interested in learning more about a Disney vacation? My services are 100% FREE! Contact me today!

Make it a magical day!

For further information on discounts read: Disney’s Military Discounts.

Julie Hauck *o*
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
MickeyTravels, LLC
1-513-313-9531 (cell)
julie@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
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Benefits of Staying on Disney Property

January 21, 2014

One of the best things about a Disney World vacation is being immersed in all of the MAGIC that Disney offers.   One sure way of being a part of the MAGIC is to book a Disney vacation and stay in the midst of all the magic on property in one of their resort hotels.   There are 24 resorts to choose from on Disney property ranging from value all the way to deluxe.   Each one has its own theme and style and fits every budget.    From the All-Star resorts in the value category, to the pure luxury and elegance of Disney’s flagship resort –the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

February 26, 2013

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was one of those hotels that I overlooked year after year.  It seemed bland and out of the way.  It has a convention center, so I assumed the place was crawling with business people who weren’t on vacation.  I pictured the dining hall filled with suits and briefcases.  I didn’t even want to think about work, let alone watch people networking and conducting business while I lay by the pool.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Coronado Springs is both a delightful and relaxing moderate resort.

Laguna Bar

The Location:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is considered an Animal Kingdom area resort, although it is just around the corner from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  It is also the closest resort to Blizzard Beach. It is generally quiet in and around this resort, which is refreshing.  There is also direct access to Rt. 429, which will lead you to tourist free shopping and dining (there is a $1.25 toll each way, but totally worth it!).

Blizzard Beach

Siestas Cantina Disney Coronado Springs Resort

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

The Rooms

The rooms in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort are spacious and clean.  They’ve recently changed the decor to capture the earth tones seen around the    resort.  The beds are super comfy too!  There are lots of options in terms of bed size, accessibility, and view.   Beds range from Standard with 2 Queen beds to Executive Suite with 2 Queen beds and 1 King (bar, dining room, living room, separate bedrooms…the works!).  You can even stay in a wheelchair accessible room complete with roll-in shower.   All rooms come with FREE WiFi and a small refrigerator, which are both must haves when it comes to visiting Walt Disney World!  Privacy is always important when you’re staying in a hotel.  We have never had an issue of hearing noise from the abutting rooms, which is nice.

Disney Dining Plan

The Food

The Pepper Market has gone through several changes over the years.  It used to house several stations of overpriced Mexican dishes (Think $14 for a tortilla, 4 tiny chunks of chicken and cheese).  You would order your food at the station(s) of your choice, eat, then pay upon exit.   We were less than thrilled with our experience and vowed never to eat there again.  We weren’t alone.  Disney heard the cries of their displeased guests and overhauled the Pepper Market.  In 2011, they introduced the always popular buffet and never ending burrito bar.  A fan favorite, but short-lived.  Disney has now unveiled their A la Carte menu, which features standard staples and omelet options for breakfast  and nachos, burritos, fajitas, salads, pasta, and burgers for lunch and dinner.  If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, the Pepper Market counts as a Quick Service location.  Pepper Market hours:  Breakfast 7am-11am Lunch 11:30am-2pm Dinner 4:30pm-11pm.

The Mayan Grill is a great Dining Plan option (not Quick Service) during your stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.  According to WDW, you’ll find ”such steakhouse selections as ribeye steak atop parmesan potatoes, breaded pork chops with mango chutney, sautéed beef tips, chicken breast with avocado salsa and slow-roasted prime rib. Children can delight in pan-seared salmon, beef tenderloin tips, chicken parmesan and more”.

Cafe Rix is a grab-and-go option.  There are breakfast sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and even beer and wine.  Breakfast is served until 11am and Lunch and Dinner until midnight.   If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you may use a Quick Service meal here!

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

The Fun

For Romance:  Visit the Laguna Bar (lakeside) or Siestas Cantina (poolside) for adult beverages and appetizers.  There are hammocks surrounding the lake, so kick back, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet!  A stroll around the resort at dusk, will not only make room for a romantic dinner, it will give you and your family time to catch up on the day’s events! What’s a romantic night without fireworks?  You can catch a glimpse of the fireworks from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  If you look just above the trees, you may be able to see them from certain areas of the resort.  You may also be able to see them from just outside your room depending on how high up you are.

For Kids:  Nothing beats the Dig Site, a large complex featuring Mayan ruins, a huge pool, water slide, and the largest hot tub on Disney property.  There are always events going on around the pool.  Kids can also visit the Iguana Arcade!  Folks may want to take advantage of the recreational rentals within the resort.  You can kayak, fish, pedal boat, bike, and play volleyball too!  Enjoy a nice campfire complete with storytelling and complimentary marshmallows for roasting.  There’s days worth of fun here without even having to leave your resort!

For Sunbathers:  The pool options are always important to me because when you live in the Northeast, it is far too cold to swim 3/4 of the year.  I want to soak up the sun and swim as much as I want.  I have to admit, I like me a quiet pool!  There are three quiet pools here.  They are gorgeous and indeed quiet…for the most part.  As I mentioned before, the Dig Site houses a humongous pool with stunning scenery and hot tubs.  It can be quite busy here, so if you’re looking for fun and excitement, you’ll want to swim at the Dig Site.

Bottom line:  Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is our favorite moderate resort on property.  It is large enough that you still feel like you’re alone most of the time.  During some times of the year, you just might be!  The pools are fantastic and the hammocks are mighty comfortable.  It’s tempting to skip the parks and relax the day away.  You might want to stay an extra day to do just that! J

Contact me for more information about Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and for ALL my FREE Disney vacation planning services!

Stephanie Madrigal
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
MickeyTravels, LLC
(407) 403-0831
1-866-700-5858
smadrigal@mickeytravels.com
www.facebook.com/magicalsteph

Making Magic One Vacation at a Time…



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