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memory maker

Memory Maker Pros and Cons

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At Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Aulani, you can purchase a product called Memory Maker. Let me let Disney describe it for you:

Memory Maker is an incredible new way to enjoy unlimited digital Disney PhotoPass photos captured at hundreds of locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort—including select attraction and dining locations. The photos are conveniently connected to your online Disney account with a touch of your MagicBand or card.

You can conveniently view, download and share your Disney PhotoPass memories on MyDisneyPhotoPass.com and on the My Disney Experience Mobile App.

There’s no need to purchase each photo individually. You can simply enjoy your vacation knowing that your memories are being captured for you.

Disney has another product called PhotoPass, which you will notice mentioned in the text above. PhotosPass is technically the photos that Disney captures, you still have access to them all, same as with the Memory Maker. However, if you do not have the Memory Maker, you must pay to download any of the photos, and they are expensive, $10+ per photo. With the Memory Maker, you have access to every single photo and video, and you can download them all for free. The cost for the Memory Maker is $169 unless you add it to your Disney package or purchase it at least three days in advance, which then lowers the cost to $149. That sounds expensive, but is it worth it?

Memory Maker Pros

  • Fantastic picture quality – Most photos are taken by experienced Disney photographers with top notch camera equipment, and the results are usually out of this world. Usually you have to ask a stranger to take a photo of your family using a phone they have never even seen before, and the results can be disappointing. The Disney photographers do this all day long, and know how to get the best shot available.
  • Disney Magic Shot – Just tell your photographer you want to do a Magic Shot, and he will pose you perfectly to fit in with the animated Disney characters that will be added to your photo. Imagine you with your hand out, holding Tinker Bell. Or maybe a photo with Ariel or Olaf. Anyone can have a boring theme park photo, but who can say they got a photos with Stitch, and survived!
  • Ride Photos and Videos – Since the introduction of the Magic Bands, Disney has been adding new and interesting uses. Currently, for many rides that take your photo (or a video) of you on the ride, these photos are automatically linked to your account, by using your Magic Band and a little location awareness science (or black magic, totally up to you). No need to wait in line, find your photo and buy it at the ride, you can just download it once you get home.
  • Sharing – While the Memory Maker works, imagine if you are traveling with 20+ people. Well, Disney has made it so that only one party has to purchase the Memory Maker, and can then link all of their family and friends to the one account. Once you are home, just download everyone’s photos.
  • Everyone is included – No longer will you get home and realize that Mom or Dad is missing from every single photo, as they were the ones behind the camera.
  • They are your photos – Once downloaded at home, you can then print any of the photos you want wherever you want, you don’t have to pay the crazy prices Disney charges.
  • Customization – Once home, you can add borders, character signatures and stickers to the photos before downloading. You can have several different version of each photo, so adding a border does not permanently change the photo.
  • More photo – I have found that usually, I get home and have about 10 photos of my family/kids on my phone from a week long trip. But, when I do the Memory Maker, we take the 30 seconds it takes to stop and get your photo done by a Disney photographer. When I get home, I often have 100+ photos from my vacation.

Memory Maker Cons

  • Cost – Yes, $149 is a lot of money, so you need to make sure it will work for you in advance. Plus, the price is the same regardless of the length of your stay, so shorter trips may run you $50 a day or more.
  • Time – If you don’t take the time to stop and get photos done, you just wasted your money.
  • 30 Days – All of the photos in your account are deleted after 30 days, so when you get home, don’t forget to download and customize everything you want ASAP.
  • Character Meals – Typically, there are Disney photographers with all characters at character meals, however, that isn’t a hard and fast rule. I have been to a few character meals lately where no photographers were present, so I had to take my own photos.
  • Lines – Sometimes, especially at popular places or times, there can be a wait to get with a photographer. Want to stop and get a photo of your family first thing in the morning on Main Street? Disney usually places a bunch of photographers there, but you still may have to wait, which is especially tough with little kids are are ready to hit the rides.

Who should purchase the Memory Maker?

  • Large Groups – Anyone traveling in a larger group should purchase the Memory Maker and split the cost, makes total sense.
  • Longer Trips – If you are staying 7+ nights, then the cost of the Memory Maker is $20 per day or less.
  • Picky Moms – Do you insist on perfect photos of your kids? Don’t leave your memories up to another vacationer, leave it up to Disney

I have found that when I buy the Memory Maker I end up with quite a few more and much better quality of photos once I get home. They are easy to download and customize and for my family, it is totally worth the cost.

Have you ever purchased the Memory Maker?

disney world deluxe villa

My Favorite Disney World Deluxe Villa Resort

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The Deluxe Villa resorts at Walt Disney World are a strange lot. Since they are technically Disney timeshare resorts, most of the people who stay there are owners, or guests of owners. A few people are normal Walt Disney World guests that stay there by paying for their room just like any other Walt Disney World resort. The deluxe villa resorts, for the most part, offer studio, one and two bedroom villas (most have a very limited number of three bedroom villas). If you have a larger group and want to stay in one “room”, the villas are exactly what you are looking for. In addition to the size, you also get a full kitchen in the one bedroom villas and larger (the studios all have a kitchenette). The one bedroom and larger villas also have in-room laundry facilities as well as a living room. If you are just looking for a place to sleep, I would take a look at a Value resort, it may fit your needs and budget a bit better. But if you are looking for comfort, convenience and class, the deluxe villa resorts are the way to go.

What is My Favorite Disney World Deluxe Villa Resort?

Bay Lake Tower

This is a hard one. I have stayed at every Deluxe Villa resort at Walt Disney World, with the exception of the new Polynesian Bungalows. They are spendy, and I am having a hard time rationalizing spending $2,000 per night for a hotel room at Disney. I have been in the Bungalows, and they are stunning. Based on the room alone I would recommend them, if you have the cash, but they are so expensive they are excluded from my top spot.

I narrowed my choice down to three options, Beach Club Villas, Bay Lake Tower and the Villas at the Grand Floridian. All three are great options, and for my family, the Beach Club Villas is usually the choice since it ticks most of our boxes, but personally, my favorite Deluxe Villas resort is Bay Lake Tower.

Walt Disney World Deluxe Villa Options

At Walt Disney World, there are 10 deluxe villa options (plus surely more coming), so choosing the best one is not easy:

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village and Jambo House: Escape on your own African safari adventure at this magnificent Resort hotel. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design offers exquisite views of lush savannas—where over 30 species of African wildlife freely roam. Delight in dazzling pool areas, exciting animal programs and all the comforts of home in our spacious Studios and multi-bedroom Villas.
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs: Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Village Lake. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and a spa. You can also explore the fun activities and exciting dining options of Disney Springs, just a boat ride away.
  • Disney’s Old Key West: Experience the romance of the Florida Keys at this tranquil community of Conch Flats—a sprawling island hamlet with shimmering waterways, swaying palm trees and manicured golf-course fairways. Delight in sun-soaked pools, casual dining and such amenities as fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes. A peaceful tropical paradise, Disney’s Old Key West Resort is also just a boat ride away from the excitement of Disney Springs
  • Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Recalling the 1860’s railroad hotels of the American West, The Villas offer the comforts of home amid the rustic beauty of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Dine on traditional Pacific Northwest cuisine, explore trails through lush meadows and delight in the enchanting Silver Creek Springs Pool. Just a breezy boat ride to Magic Kingdom park, this Resort hotel celebrates the ethos of traditional craftsmanship and the great outdoors.
  • Disney’s Boardwalk Villas: Timeless elegance meets old-fashioned charm at this waterfront Resort hotel. Delight in saltwater taffy-colored cottages, private courtyards and picturesque gardens—plus the ragtime sounds and carnival pastimes of the exciting Coney Island-style boardwalk. Reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas is located within walking distance to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas: Leisure, elegance and romance abound at this charming New England-style beach hotel—in easy walking distance to Epcot and a boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Enjoy the pools, spas and lagoons of Stormalong Bay, and the many amenities shared with Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows: Escape to an enchanting oasis of swaying palms, white sandy beaches and tropical surroundings that evokes the languid spirit of the South Pacific. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows makes its home at one of the original—and legendary—Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Warm luxury meets modern elegance at this lakeside Resort hotel just walking distance to Magic Kingdom park. Delight in Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, kitchens or kitchenettes and dramatic views that may include old-growth cypress trees, the shimmering Bay Lake, the lush courtyard or Cinderella Castle. Enjoy white-sand beaches, enchanting pools and award-winning dining—plus the extensive offerings of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, connected by the convenient Sky Way Bridge.
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: Revel in Victorian-style splendor and enjoy the comforts of home at this elegant Disney Resort hotel. Stay in a stately deluxe studio or multi-bedroom villa. Indulge in a luxurious massage at the full-service spa. Unwind on the beach as fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella Castle. Just one stop to Magic Kingdom park on the complimentary Resort Monorail, this timeless marvel evokes Palm Beach’s golden era.

In addition, Disney is currently building additional units and on water cabins at the Wilderness Lodge. Once finished the current Villas at Wilderness Lodge will be renamed Boulder Ridge Villas while the new villas and bungalows will be named Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. There will be two separate resorts at Wilderness Lodge, similar to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

What Makes Bay Lake Tower Special

Bay Lake Tower Bedroom
Bay Lake Tower Bedroom

Location, location, location. Bay Lake Tower is built between the Contemporary Resort and the Magic Kingdom. Most rooms have a fantastic view of either the Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake. Unless Disney someday builds a resort inside the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, I can’t imagine a better spot for a resort.

Transportation Options. So many options. You can easily walk directly to the Magic Kingdom in just a few minutes. You can also grab the resort monorail to go to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot right in the lobby of the Contemporary. There is also bus service that will take you just about anywhere on property and a boat launch that serves the Magic Kingdom as well as the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Especially when you are in the Magic Kingdom at night, it is so nice to have multiple options to get home. If you aren’t dead, walk home in just a few minutes. Feeling tired? Take the monorail or a boat back for a leisurely ride. If you are staying elsewhere, you may be reliant upon the buses, and those lines can get LONG once the park closes.

The Rooms. The rooms at Bay Lake are different than any other deluxe villa resort. Since the building is somewhat of a semi-circular tower, the rooms that face outward are fan shaped, so the area where the windows and balcony are located are huge. This makes for great views in all directions. Plus, the decorating and feel of the rooms is just spectacular. Each two bedroom villa features an extra bathroom in the living room area, which is great if you have anyone that has to sleep on the fold out couch or chair in the main room, they have their own bathroom.

What are the downsides of Bay Lake Tower?

Bay Lake Tower is not perfect, it does have a few drawbacks:

Studio rooms: In deluxe villa resorts, the two bedroom villas are made up of a one bedroom villa and a studio combined. When you have a 2 bedroom villa, that second bedroom (studio) isn’t perfect, but it is just fine. However, if you rent just a studio, beware that it is TINY! They have built out a kitchenette/closet area in the room, and past that there is usually a queen bed and a fold out couch. Once you fold out the couch, there is basically no walking or storage room for anything, it feels much smaller than a value resort room. If you are thinking of a studio at Bay Lake, just pass, and book a standard room at the Contemporary, they are usually about the same price and are much better.

Decor: While I love the decor at Bay Lake, I can understand that it isn’t for everyone. Since it is associated with the Contemporary Resort, the decor is on the contemporary side. If you want more traditional decor, you can’t beat the Villas at the Grand Floridian, they are down right stunning inside.

Cost: The deluxe villas are pretty expensive if you are paying for them (even if you are an owner). They are never a way to save money for a larger group, and you will pay deluxe prices, these are deluxe villa resorts after all. A two bedroom villa is usually in the $1,000 – $1,500 per night range, so a week stay there is not cheap.

Bay Lake Tower Kitchen
Bay Lake Tower Kitchen

While I would be more than happy staying at any Deluxe Villa resort, if given the choice, I would stay at Bay Lake Tower just about every time.

Have you stayed at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower?

Disney Things

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – May 20, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week was a very, very slow Disney news week. Here are the super important Disney news items for this week:

Last Chance to Catch Classic Soarin’

soarin

Are you a huge Soarin’ fan? Get yourself to Disney now before the classic Soarin’ is gone. Epcot guests will be able to enjoy farewell flights when the classic Soarin’ returns to The Land pavilion starting May 27, 2016. The attraction will reopen at Epcot a few weeks before the new film, Soarin’ Around the World, debuts next month at Disney parks in Shanghai, California and Florida. Don’t miss your chance to experience Soarin’ Over California at Disney California Adventure now through June 15, and at Epcot through June 16, 2016. The new film will debut June 17, 2016 on both coasts.

Disney FastPass+ service will be available starting May 21, 2016 for this limited opportunity to enjoy the classic Soarin’ experience at Epcot.

Tiffins Restaurant Opening

tiffins restaurant

The long awaited Animal Kingdom signature restaurant is set to open this week, and we finally have menus! Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffins is situated near Pizzafari on Discovery Island, near what will be the entrance to Pandora – The World of AVATAR, when it opens in 2017. (“Tiffin” is an Indian English word for a midday meal or a type of container used to carry food while traveling). Adjacent to Tiffins, Nomad Lounge features waterfront views in addition to hand-crafted cocktails with African, Asian and South American flavors; beers, and sustainable wines from those regions, plus specialty non-alcoholic beverages and small bites.

Check out the Menus (we just have images today, hopefully they will be available on the WDW website soon):

Remember, Tiffins is a signature restaurant, therefore if you are on one of the Disney Dining Plans, the cost to dine here is 2 table service credits per person.

In addition to the grand opening, Disney is also introducing a nightly dining/show package at both Tiffins and Tusker Hours. Similar to the popular Fantasmic! Dining Packages at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Jungle Book Dining Package includes reserved seating for the nighttime show. At all-you-care-to-eat Tusker House Restaurant, you can choose the breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet on the day of the show (but you have to dine at least 2 ½ hours before the show). Breakfast is $37, $23 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity; lunch and dinner, $49, $30 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tusker House Restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan and counts as one table-service meal.

At Tiffins, the package includes your choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at either lunch or dinner. The Dining Package is $67 for adults, $32 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tiffins is on the Disney Dining Plan and counts as two table-service meal credits.

Reservations will open tomorrow, May 21, 2016 for Tiffins restaurant as well as Dining Packages for The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic nighttime show.

Animal Kingdom at Night to Debut

animal kingdom night

Later this week, starting May 27, 2016, the Animal Kingdom Park will be open at night for the first time ever. One of the biggest downfalls of the parks is that it usually closes by 5 PM each night, and it is such a beautiful park. With the addition of many night time events, the park will now stay open until later, calendars over Memorial Day weekend show it open until 11 PM each night.

There is an exciting lineup of new experiences coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park after the sun sets, including nightly awakenings of the park’s iconic Tree of Life. Beginning May 27, 2016, animal spirits will be brought to life each night by magical fireflies that reveal colorful stories of wonder and enchantment along with other amazing sights at the tree.

After the sun sets, you also will be able to explore Kilimanjaro Safaris and see the nighttime behavior of the wildlife and better tune in to the unique vocalization of the animals like never before.  Among the new experiences, the village of Harambe in Africa will become the place to enjoy “Wildlife Parti” and the spirited community of Discovery Island will come together to celebrate their love of the natural world with the Discover Island Carnivale.

And the park’s Discovery River will awaken at night and become a stunning stage for performances of the limited-engagement show The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, inspired by the hit live-action film Disney’s The Jungle Book.  Shows will feature memorable moments from the film, including the iconic Shere Khan, and will be filled with music and special effects that celebrate the movie and classic songs, infused with an Indian influence. Eventually, this show will be replaced by the Rivers of Light show, but probably not until sometime this Fall, once the kinks are worked out.

Flying Fish Cafe Returning to Walt Disney World

Flying Fish Logo

Flying Fish Cafe, one of my all time favorite Disney restaurants, is returning! Opening is set for late summer for Flying Fish restaurant at Disney’s Boardwalk – yes, “Cafe” goes away as part of the name, and diners will be welcomed to a sophisticated, interior that still pays homage to the golden era of seaside boardwalks.

Flying Fish

The interior features an all-new kitchen and dining room (with expanded space for private dining events), sparkling architectural accents, like golden-winged room panels and an impressive chandelier that mimics a school of flying fish swimming overhead. Next door, the new AbracadaBar lounge opens, taking the spot formerly occupied by the candy and ice-cream shop. No information on an opening date or when reservations can be made have been announced yet.

Hollywood Studios Summertime Eats

With the ongoing construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is a very slim choice of dining locations currently available. So, Disney has announced several quick-service kiosks that will be made available this Summer in the Echo Lake area. Some of these look fantastic!

Echo Lake Eats

 

Bocados del Lago Nachos y Empanadas

  • Loaded Chili Cheese Nachos with Guacamole
  • Beef Empanadas, roasted corn and black bean salsa, Queso Fresco with cilantro sour cream
  • Dulce de Leche Cookie

Sliders to the Stars

  • Pulled Beef Brisket Sliders with arugula, pickled onions and horseradish aioli on sesame bun served with chips
  • Pulled Barbecued Chicken Sliders with coleslaw and chipotle aioli on a brioche bun served with chips
  • Mickey Brownie

Hollywood Waffles of Fame

  • Shaved Turkey and Gouda Waffle Sandwich with mixed greens, bacon, tomato and herb-cheese pesto served with chips
  • Shaved Ham and Cheddar Focaccia with water cress and spicy mustard served with chips
  • Freshly-baked Chocolate Chip Cookie

Oasis Canteen

  • Chicken Breast Nuggets served with celery and carrots with a Ranch dipper and chips
  • Sweet Chili-glazed Chicken Breast Nuggets served with celery and carrots with a Ranch dipper and chips
  • Kid’s Breast Nuggets
  • Mickey Brownie

Bonus Disney News!

This week, Walt Disney World changed the FastPass+ booking system. Previously, you could book your fastpass+ reservations 60 days in advance of your check in date, and do so at midnight. So, as soon as the clock struck midnight, the next “day” would start. Stay up a bit later and you can get a time to see Anna and Elsa. Wait until the next morning, you are out of luck. Earlier this week, that time was changed to 7AM Eastern. You can no longer stay up late to get your times booked, unless you are in Hawaii of course, as 7AM Eastern in 1 AM in Hawaii.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?