Featured Agent: Katie Miller

Hi, my name is Katie Miller and I have been with Mouse World Travel since Fall 2013. One of my favorite things to do is to plan my own Disney vacations, and I love that I can now help others make those memories, too!

I’ve been a fan of Disney movies and characters since I was a little girl, but didn’t take my first Walt Disney World vacation until I was 17 years old. To say I was hooked is an understatement. I was totally captivated with the magic of Disney the first moment I stepped into the Magic Kingdom, and I have to say I still get that magical feeling each time I go to Disney.

I have traveled to Walt Disney World a total of 13 times, and at the end of January 2014 I’ll have taken my 5th cruise on the Disney Cruise Line, having sailed at least once on every ship. I have trips in the works to Disneyland in California, and also out to Aulani, Disney’s newest resort in Hawaii.

I really enjoy sharing my love of Disney with my family and friends; my 4 year old niece delights in telling me, “I can’t wait until you take me to Disney World!” (I have taught her well)

Here are a few of my favorite things to see, do, and eat at Disney:

Favorite character: Sorcerer Mickey, hands down. I am not ashamed to admit that I tear up a little when I see him at Fantasmic!

Favorite movie: Favorite live action would be Mary Poppins (how can you not love Julie Andrews); favorite animated movie is Sleeping Beauty.

Favorite attraction: Soarin at Epcot. I could do this over and over again....and I have!

Favorite place to stay at Disney: I honestly haven’t disliked any of the resorts I’ve stayed at, but I would say my favorite is the Beach Club, both for its ambiance and its location between Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Favorite food at Disney: O’Hana is always a must-do when in Orlando; oh that bread pudding, I could write novels about that bread pudding. For quick service, I can’t pass up the flatbread pizzas at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa; the BBQ Chicken one is the BOMB.

Thanks for letting me tell you a little about myself! Pixie dust to you and yours!

Contact me for your next Disney vacation: katie@mouseworldtravel.com 

Featured Agent: Jennifer Dowling

We are starting a new type of article on our blog where we feature one of our fantastic agents so you can get to know more about them!!  Feel free to post questions or comments on the blog for the agent!

Hi! I am Jen.

I have been an agent with Mouse World Travel for just under 3 years, and it was the best career move I ever made!

I am a mother of 3 children, 24, 21 and 8 years of age. I have been lucky enough to travel with all 3 of them to Disney at one point in time. My husband is a Dairy Farmer, which can make traveling a little tricky at times, but we try to find a way to get away when we can.

I took my first trip to Walt Disney World in 1974 when I was four years old. The park was still very new and I was very young, but I still have many vivid memories of that trip. I now have traveled to the "World" numerous times, with many more trips planned for the future.

I have also sailed with Disney Cruise Line for the first time in 2011. It was such an amazing trip, that I did 2 more cruises the next year! Cruising with Disney is great fun and I would love to help you plan your perfect cruise. 

I have eaten at many of the Walt Disney World Restaurants,--- experiencing most of the Character meals offered. I love staying on property at Pop Century Resort, though over the past few years I have branched out and tried many more resorts and I have a hard time picking my favorite. My youngest daughter enjoys all the large icons at Pop and the constant "Disney" feeling we get there. We also had a chance to stay at the New Art of Animation not long after it opened and it was so much fun!
Being a Mom of 3, I know how to plan a Disney vacation with a family in mind---especially traveling with young children and all the activities offered for them. I have also traveled to Walt Disney World with other adult friends and have taken a solo trip, so I know how touring plans change depending on who you travel with. I have a sailed on Disney Cruise Lines with an adults only group, as well as trips with children.

I have also sailed with Norwegian Cruise Lines twice. I am a big fan of their freestyle dining.

I am a Graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge and attended the Disney Agent Education Program in 2011, which is held right at the Walt Disney World Resort for onsite training.
I am a Princess Cruise Line Commodore Graduate, a Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Advanced Specialist with Silver badge Certified Graduate, A Universal Specialist, A Sea World Parks and Entertainment Specialist, A Legoland Specialist, A Hotel Excellence by Marriott Graduate, an InterContinental Hotels Group Graduate, A Carnival Fun Seeker Specialist (working on advancing that degree) and Atlantis Specialist. I am currently working on my Royal Caribbean, Hilton, and Holland America Degrees. I am IATA certified and also working on my CLIA Certification.

I can also book anything that Expedia offers for you if you feel you can get a better deal through them.

I love planning trips. I will include in as much or as little of the planning as you choose. I also love to write about my trips and experiences. My blog, http://jensmouseworld.tumblr.com/ contains many pictures of Disney resorts and activities, as well as several of my most recent trip reports.
My facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JenniferWDW

I know the current deals and keep up with the most recent changes and Disney news.

Disney feels like "Home" to me! Let me help make it feel like your home too.
You can contact me at jen@mouseworldtravel.com or 419-260-3510.

Disney's Earmarked Conference 2013

Mouse World Travel owner, Michelle Adams, and manager/agent Brook Wozniak, recently attended Disney's Earmarked Conference held at Walt Disney World from September 16 to 19, 2013.  During this conference they were able to hear from and speak with Disney Executives and use Disney's newest tech, MyMagic+ and the MagicBands first-hand.

If you haven't yet heard of MyMagic+ or MagicBands, the bulk of this technology allows you to make FastPass reservations from home without having to dart to the rides first thing in the morning to obtain FastPasses.  The MagicBands are a colorful wristband that basically replace the blue Key to the World card and hold all the data for your reservations.  The MyDisneyExperience website and smartphone app let you create, see, and make changes to all your plans and reservations.

Follow me, Brook, along in this blog for a recap of the conference!

September 16 - Check-in to the conference
This day was a 'free day' and not an actual conference day, there were some optional resort tours scheduled and check-in was being held all day at the Contemporary Resort Convention Center and then you were free to enjoy the resort and/or the parks.

The conference center was decorated with large banners in the conference theme "Mission: Incredible"

Conference goodies - bag with water bottle, lanyard with credentials, PhotoPass+ CD, notebook with pen, and an "I am Incredible" t-shirt

We also received some 'bling' for our MagicBands:

The top two items on the Band are called Sliders, the Mickey Incredible Slider was for the conference, the other was given to guests at check-in.  The bottom item is called a Bandit and is much like Jibbetz for Crocs, they just pop right into the holes on the Band. This was for conference attendees. You can purchase Sliders and Banditz and more in all the resort gift shops that are participating in the MagicBand testing and in the World of Disney in Downtown Disney.

After relaxing in the room for a bit, I ran off to the Magic Kingdom for a quick lunch at Casey's Corner (anyone who knows me knows I cannot resist those Corn Dog Nuggets!) and for a spin around Tomorrowland on the Peoplemover.  Later I joined up with Michelle for some time at Epcot.  We walked around the World Showcase, sipped on American Dreams (have you had that delicious treat?) and enjoyed the American Adventure and Living with the Land.

I stayed in the park for a while longer to ride Soarin' while Michelle returned to the hotel.  Later that evening Michelle, her husband, and I all stuffed ourselves silly at Whispering Canyon Cafe.  All in all, a fun day at Walt Disney World and we were both very excited for the conference to begin!

September 17 - the conference begins!
In true Disney fashion the conference began with entertainment!  The theme was Mission: Incredible and we were all "Super Agents".

Mr & Mrs Incredible along with Ivanna Dream

Today we heard from many Disney executives, Ed Fouché, Senior Vice President, Travel Industry Sales, Americas and Craig Parsons, Vice President, Travel Agency Sales and National Accounts welcomed us.

We covered the 2014 campaign, of which we were told was TOP SECRET and was just launched yesterday!  The ads are very fun (check one out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK64XOtDw4Y) and Disney has some great interactive elements in store for the rest of the year.


Nick Franklin, Executive Vice President, Next Generation Experience spoke about how MyMagic+ works, the goals, and partnering with us as travel agents in using this new technology.  He also reviewed some interesting statistics showing that Walt Disney World guests that have booked through a  travel agent are prepared upon arrival with their MagicBands customized and their FastPasses selected.  Versus guests who book on their own generally not being aware of MyMagic+.  Nick Franklin also gave us a peek into what is coming down the line with MyMagic+, but again - we were asked to keep quiet about this!  One very important piece is that the MyMagic+ test will be expanded to all Walt Disney World Resorts in October.


After lunch we were let loose in the parks to test and explore MyMagic+ and the MagicBands.  Since both Michelle and I had used them the previous day (and Michelle for a few days prior as well), we were pros by now!  We easily made on the fly changes to our FastPasses both online and on the MyDisneyExperience app and highly enjoyed our time in the Magic Kingdom.  That evening we attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Hilarious entertainer at the Haunted Mansion during Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party

HalloWishes - the unique fireworks show for the Halloween Party

September 18 - full conference day
The next day started bright and early.  After breakfast we almost immediately went into breakout sessions.

My favorite of the three breakout sessions was "Building 21st Century Relationships" by Terry Jones.  Terry Jones created Travelocity and Kyak.  He prepped us by telling us he knows we despise him.  Ha!  However, Terry is one very, very smart man.  His session was motivating, full of great ideas and it ended with him giving each of us a copy of his book On Innovation.  He also explained that he uses travel agents!  And his daughter IS a travel agent!  He loves to use a travel agent, a specialist, a destination pro, for many of his trips because they know tips and hints that would take him mounds of research to learn.  He cheered us on and was incredibly encouraging.

One session was also focused on MyMagic+.  This covered a few items coming down the line, including a booklet that will be sent to guests and the new "Thank You" postcards Disney will be sending that will interact with your smartphone/tablet.  Very cool.

I was able to sneak in a few "hot" questions about MyMagic+ after this session and while I did get a deeper understanding of things, quite a few things were still in testing and being worked on at this point.  However, if you are one who has encountered problems, be assured Disney is still working on the MyMagic+ program and making many, many tweaks.  We are all learning as we are going.  Your travel agent at Mouse World Travel is here to assist you every step of the way!  We are all plugged in to the latest news regarding MyMagic+ and working with the technology to make the best possible experience for your vacation!

After the breakout sessions we moved back into the main conference room for a review on Disney Cruise Line and the Disneyland Resort.  And our last session was “Disney Parks: A Look Ahead" with Scott Trowbridge, Vice President Research & Development, Walt Disney Imagineering.  This session was fantastic - it was so much fun to see what Disney has in store and get a peek into their ideas!  The conference ended with 600 travel agents donning "Glow with the Show Ears" and them dancing away to the music.  Unfortunately Fantasmic! wasn't quite ready to have the Ears (debuts on October 15), but it was still a thrill to experience it for a few moments!

That evening Disney took us to Hollywood Studios for a closing event.  We had dinner with a DJ on the set of Lights! Motors! Action! followed by dessert on the Streets of America with the Pointer Sisters live!  And they finished the conference with a bang with a personal fireworks show over Mickey's Sorcerer Hat at the front of the park.

All in all, it was a very fun conference.  We learned, we networked, we were encouraged.  Disney has a lot in store for us that will change how we work with our clients, and how we tour the parks; however, we are excited for this change and face it head-on.

Both Michelle and I found the MagicBands to be an excellent tool!  We were able to make and adjust our FastPasses on the fly using both the website and the smartphone app.  There are still a few kinks to be worked out; however, we are both confident this will greatly enhance your next next Walt Disney World vacation.  For a couple days after the conference I spent time with my family and it was pure bliss not having to run for FastPasses, we slept in and strolled through the park knowing we already had reservations for our favorite rides.

Leave a comment below or contact your Mouse World Travel Agent if you have any questions, otherwise stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on MyMagic+!

Michelle & Brook enjoying the conference

Disney Cruise Line Ports of Call

Here are the scheduled ports of call for Disney Cruise Line today:

Dream - Disney's Castaway Cay
Fantasy - Costa Maya, Mexico
Magic - Galveston, TX
Wonder - At Sea

If I could be instantly transported to one, it would be a toss up between Castaway Cay or Galveston.  Castaway Cay is absolute PARADISE! But, being in Galveston would mean my adventure was just beginning!  

Which would you choose?  Leave your comment here or on our Facebook page.

Good Coffee in Walt Disney World

by Brook Wozniak

brook@mouseworldtravel.com

If you know me, you know I like love my coffee.  Walt Disney World is known for it's coffee not being so great, so how can I title a blog post "Good Coffee..."?  Well, good is relative and I believe I was the first to jump for joy when Disney announced a Starbucks would be coming to the Magic Kingdom...but, a decent cup CAN be found in Walt Disney World.

Next time you are there check out a few of my favorites:

1. Polynesian Resort: Kona Cafe pressed pot.  I melted a bit when I tasted this for the first time.  Good stuff.  The Kona Island Coffee Bar just outside the restaurant is pretty tasty too serving up a Kona blend.  It's worth a stop on the monorail.
2. Animal Kingdom Lodge: Boma or Jiko pressed pot.  I prefer the Poly's, BUT, this African pressed pot is a close runner up. (and don't even get me started on the wonder that is the Boma breakfast buffet...Hello!)
3. Main Street Bakery: While their iced coffee is nothing to write home about, it fills the need.  I've had their hot coffee...once.
4. Throughout Epcot there are booths that serve Joffery's Coffee.  They do not take the Disney Dining Plan, but are worth the extra expense!  Look for the purple and white styrofoam cups.
5. Writer's Stop in Hollywood Studios: the secret is OUT about this place, holy lines Batman! but...it's worth it.  I again prefer the iced here, but even the espresso is doable.
6. Royal Anandapur Tea Company in the Animal Kingdom: I've had the frozen mochas (two thumbs up), but prefer either the frozen or hot chai tea.  A nice caffeine kick for the afternoon!
7. Downtown Disney: Earl of Sandwich serves Seattle's Best.  A good solid cup.

A few I need to check out on my trip to the World next month:

1. Contemporary Resort: Contemporary Grounds.  While I have walked past this place a dozen times I've never gotten a cup 'o joe.  Must remedy this.
2. Since I'll be there during Food & Wine Festival (woo-hoo!) I need to try Belgium's Godiva Chocolate Iced Coffee.  I'm a bit nervous it will be too sweet for my palate, but worth a shot.
3. Morocco in Epcot: I hear the Tangierine Cafe serves up a yummy cup.

Despite being able to find a good cup, I still bring my own grounds and filters for each trip.  I do look forward to Starbucks opening, I hope it's soon!

What's your favorite coffee spot?

Bottoms up!

Is Pete a Dog or a Cat?

by Jennifer Dowling

jen@mouseworldtravel.com

Have you ever wondered what kind of animal Pete is? I have. He resembles a cat, but in later years when he was featured on Goof Troup, he did seem to resemble a dog at times.

According to Wikipedia, Pete, also known by a few alias' such as Bad Pete, Sneaky Pete, and the one I remember from my childhood, Peg-leg Pete is a cat. 

Did you know he originally started out as an anthropomorphic bear in 1925? But by 1928, he became a black cat, the persona he is most associated with. His species later became more ambiguous in the Goof Troop franchise where he appeared more canine.

Pete is the oldest continuing Disney character, having debuted three years before Mickey Mouse in the cartoon Alice Solves the Puzzle. Although never a central character, Pete has also made many appearances in Disney comics, and often appeared as a sidekick in the Mickey Mouse comic strip.

Pete is often typecast as a villain, but on some occasions, Pete has even played a sympathetic character, all the while maintaining his underlying menacing nature. Pete was Mickey Mouse's nemesis, but would vary in professions, from an all-out outlaw to a brutal law-enforcer.

My first memories of Pete are from a book my grandfather used to read me. I no longer remember the name of the book, nor much of the story line, but Pete was called Peg-leg Pete

 in the story and was some what of a pirate, if my memory serves me right. It was a favorite book of mine and I remember just how scary Pete seemed to be to me. Because of that book, I always have called him Peg-leg Pete, though once Goof Troup came out in the early 90's, I relaxed a bit and started calling him just plain old Pete. I have to admit that having a son who was around the ages of 4 or 5 at the time, we watched MANY episodes of Goof Troop!

Pete now appears in numerous episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He maintains his protagonist and semi-antagonist role, but he is significantly toned down for its preschool audience. Mickey and gang are very forgiving of Pete now. Pete also now appears to have more feelings and forgotten morals and often feels bad when he tries to cheat the gang.

So there you have it! Pete started out as a bear, turned into a cat a few years later, had a few dog like moments, but still is considered a cat by many Disney fans!

While you cannot currently meet Pete in the Disney theme parks you may find his portrait in various locations.  He also is the "host" of the new Storybook Circus meet & greet (not yet open as of this blog publish date), Pete's Silly Sideshow, that will feature Minnie Magnifique, Madame Daisy Fortuna, The Great Goofini, and the Astounding Donaldo.  Many fans hope that Pete will eventually make an appearance here...only time will tell!

How are Scrooge McDuck and Donald Duck related?

by Jennifer Dowling

jen@mouseworldtravel.com

Did you ever wonder how Donald and Scrooge are related?

We know Scrooge is referred to as "Uncle" by both Donald, and Donald's' nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie.  First I will tell you how Huey, Dewey and Louie are related to Donald. They are Donald's sister, Della Duck's, children. Donald and Della Duck are descendants of the McDuck clan though their maternal line of ancestry. The identity of the boys' father is something of a mystery. Very little is known about him. It was revealed in an early comic strip that Mr. Duck was sent to the hospital because Huey, Dewey and Louie placed a firecracker under his armchair as a prank, with disastrous results. It was because of this incident that Della sent her sons to her brother, Donald Duck. While originally meant to be a one-month stay, the nephews wound up staying with Donald permanently; the reasons for this are unknown. However, both Della and Donald are linked to Scrooge McDuck in equal measure, and yet Donald is always referred to as Scrooge's closest living relative, which suggests she has disappeared or passed away.

On to Scrooge's relationship...did you know that Donald had a mother and her name was Hortense? She is Scrooge McDuck's youngest sister. The family was born in Scotland to a working class family living in relative poverty. At around the age of 13, Scrooge emigrated to the US. Approximately 12 years later, Scrooge returned to Scotland to fetch his 2 sisters, Hortense and Matilda. Hortense had a temper like Scrooge, but Matilda was mild mannered. When Scrooge established Duckburg, Calisota, United States as his homebase he started journeying the world trying to expand his financial empire and his sisters ran his business on the homefront. Hortense met her boyfriend Quackmore Duck whom she married and they had a set of twins, Donald and Della. Donald is said to have inherited his mothers temper.

Scrooge often states that he is the last McDuck left. This would leave you to believe that his sisters have died. But his claim could hold true as well because he is the last male McDuck left.

If you'd like to meet Donald Duck on your next Walt Disney World visit you can find him at several character buffet meals, and regularly at the Epcot Character Spot.  He can also sometimes be found in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom, or at Animal Kingdom.  At the Disneyland Resort he is most commonly spotted in Disney's California Adventure.

Edited to add: Donald can also be found regularly at Walt Disney World in Mexico at Epcot.

Scrooge McDuck is much more difficult to find in the U.S. Parks.  He will occasionally appear in various locations throughout the Parks; your best bet to see him would be during the holiday season.

Daisy Duck is often meeting guests in Town Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.  She is also sometimes found at the Sorcerer's Hat in Disney's Hollywood Studios, and is at the character buffet meal, Tusker House, at Animal Kingdom.  In Disneyland she sometimes can be found at the character breakfast at the Paradise Pier Hotel.

Edited to add: Daisy can often be found at Walt Disney World in Epcot, under Spaceship Earth near the Camera Store.

Meeting Huey, Dewey, and Louie is incredibly rare.  They can sometimes be out randomly in the parks, your best bet would be during the holiday season.

ONE Ride

A few of us at Mouse World Travel recently had a fun discussion..."If you could go on ONE ride/attraction at Walt Disney World, which would it be?"

Some people knew right away, others took all day to decide!!  Our choices cover every park and vary from the classics to the thrills!

Aimee Fleming - Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Amy Degenstein-Hood - Mickey's PhilharMagic (Magic Kingdom)
April Foote - The Great Movie Ride (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Brook Wozniak - Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover (Magic Kingdom)
Cass Pettigrew - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Claire Gambone - Toy Story Mania (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Colleen Kozak - Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
Deb Tee - Soarin' (Epcot)
Hope Savannah - it's a small world (Magic Kingdom)
Jennifer Dowling - Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
Lynne Cornelison - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Michelle Adams - Spaceship Earth (Epcot)
Mindy Walbesser - Kali River Rapids (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
Nikki Glinski - Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover (Magic Kingdom)
Stephanie Coon - Soarin' (Epcot)
Wendy Ridgway - Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover (Magic Kingdom)

So tell me, what ride/attraction would you choose?