Episode 14: DisCRUISEney

    

Show Links

Disney Cruising

Disney Cruise Line: Official Site

Disney Cruise Line Blog

Cruise Critic

Dis Boards: Fish Extender Information

Podcast/ Blog Links

DisVACAney

Pre-planning for a Disney Trip

Disney Themed Road Trip Activities/ Games

 Prior to 180 days (Book, Brainstorm, Budget)

-Choose destination/ dates

-Research 

-pay schedule

-passport

-set budget

-Start planning process

-Excursions research

-Join Facebook Group (Dis Boards)

-Book Flight

-Submit Vacation at work

-Brainstorm FEE

6 months (Research, Review, Reflect)

-Budget (Start saving for souvineers/ drinks/ etc.)

-Start FEE

-shop for clothes

-Think about packing (Especially if you are flying)

-10 Checklist

-Parking

-Start researching desitnations

-Check passport status

-Start planning Transportion

-Familiarity with Ship

3 Months (Confirm, Copy, Collect)

-Final payments

-Online Check in

-Book Port Adventures

-Dining reservations (Palo/ Remy)

-Gather important info on destinations (paperwork,US embassy, Currencey, Vaccines, Country Warnings, etc., Ship number)

-Arrangments at home

-Transportation (Driving, Flying, getting around, etc.)

-Go over reading material provide by Disney

-Check Personal Navigators if Possible

-Expert with Ship

-Research Destinations

-Create 10 day Checklist

1 Month to go (Fix, Familiarize, Finalize)

-Go over paperwork, all important docs (Passport)

-Pay off remaining balance

-Notify banks, credit cards, Phone Provider

-Confirm arrangements at home

-Finish FEE and pack

-Start Packing (Don't forget Pirates night, Formal night, and Stamps)

-Travelers checks

-Vaccinations

-Confirm travel arrangements

-Update 10 day Checklist

-Confirm vacation from work

-Distribute copies of passport to family members.

-Copy birth certificate (leave originals at home)

10 Day Checklist (Gather, Game-plan, Go)

-Paperwork

-Confirm home arrangements

-Finish packing

-Leave in instructions for the home

-Take care of Pets (notify vet, permission to take to vet in case of emergency)

-Confirm flight, Cruise, parking

-Confirm arrival and departure (activities, snacks, etc.)

disAPPney: Magic Band Budget

Have you ever gotten home from vacation only to find out that you overspent and you now have to pay bills?

If your answer to that question was yes, than you are reading the right blog.  I have recently discovered a new app, Magic Band Budget (released July 1st, 2014), developers David and Kristen Kittle.  This app is the answers to my prayers (at least for the bill gods).  I experienced a hard shove into reality and can't tell you how many times I have come home from vacation, after spending too much money.   In the end making me wish I hadn't gone on vacation to begin with.  If only I had planned ahead of time and spent within my budget (This just happened to me over my May vacation to WDW)

           

Disney has made it so easy to make purchases. All you do is put your wrist up to the scanner and poof you just spent 50 bucks (which will most likey be charged to your hotel reservations, if you are staying on property.)  This results in a hefty bill upon leaving.  If you are not charging purchases to your room, it is still very easy to overspend on vacation; especially if you are in the mindset of "I am on vacation".  The Magic Band App allows me to do just that, plan a budget and keep track of it while I am on vacation.  The app is completely customizable, mostly geared toward WDW and Disneyland. However, you can use it for virtually any vacation or budgeting item.  I am currently using it for my upcoming cruise in January.  

The key features of the app include

     - Budgeting Menu

     - Countdown to Vacation

     - Expense goal setting

     - Park information, tips, and tricks

Budgeting Menu:

I am able to set a budget for my cruise reservation, souvenirs, Photos, Port Adventures, etc. the options are endless. When I am on the cruise each time I go to purchase an item (e.g. Pictures on board the ship $40)  I can add the cost right to my picture budget.  I can add a description, image (i.e. photo of receipt), etc.  Then I can go to that particular category and view the amount I have left, and graphical representation of that budget.  Back on the main screen I can see what my total budget is and what I have left after purchasing an item.  

Countdown to Vacation:

Just like it sounds you can put in your vacation dates and the app will countdown for you.  In my case my "Set Sail Date"; I have 206 days to go!  Sure you can purchase a separate app with this funtion but those cost at least $.99 if not more; this app is only $2.99 and you get so much more and all in place. The advantage to having the countdown in this app, is the fact that you will know how long you have to raise money for your budget.  You can also, brag to you friends on Facebook how long you have left until you go on your adventure.  A very handy feature.  

Expense goal setting

Set yourself an expense goal. Set aside money each month. Be sure to reflect that in your Magic Band Budget app. You will be able to sleep well and not have to worry on vacation knowing that you will have enough money in your budget for you vacation.

Park information, tips, tricks

This is the best part of the app.  I bought a guide book to WDW with a whole salou of tips and tricks on saving money and getting the most out of my vacation.  If I had this app 6 months ago I wouldn't have needed the guide book.  Let me mention the book is huge and heavy, not ideal to carry around in the parks.  All of the tips, tricks, and info are great and very well organized.  I learned some new trick/tips that I did not know beforehand. If for nothing else purchase the app for this feature alone.  

Functionality 

I have to admit the first time I used the app it crashed but only once and only that first time.  I also have to admit that it takes some playing around with before you get the hang of it.  Once you get the hang of it and you know what you are looking for, it is very user friendly.  I would suggest to the developers to integrate a help menu/ user guide or put a link to a website with this information. Other than that if functions great and I am loving it.  The fact that it doesn't require wifi, will benefit us greatly when we are in the middle of the carribbean with no internet or data.

I will definitely be adding this app as a permanent staple for any vacation that I take (and not just for the monorail that I get to see in the background).  This will help prevent me from going on vacation and overspending; as it is often very easy to do.  As much as we don't want to have to think about what we are spending (let alone keep track of it) while we are on vacation the alternative is much worse (seeing a very large bill at check-out or coming home and seeing your bank account drained.)  

I have already started planning my cruise which is still 6 months away (if you have been keeping up with posts you know I am a planner and this is when I start planning).  The Magic Band Budget is definitly an excellent tool to help me plan I can now get rid of my all of the spreadsheets I have made int the past.  

Take a look at the Magic Band Budget app.  I garentee that spending a few dollars will save you plenty more in the end.  For more information on the Magic Band Budget app please check out the following links:

Website: http://www.magicbandbudget.com

itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magic-band-budget-my-disney/id887423935?mt=8

Twitter: www.twitter.com/magicbandbudget

Episode 11: As Dreamer's Do Review / FastPass+ Blunder Update

In this Podcast I review As Dreamer's Do since is came out on an early digital release on April, 18. Also, an update from the FastPass+ Blunder.  I am curious to know what your experience has been with FastPass+!  Be sure to connect with me on:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
google+
or by email: dislizney13@gmail.com

I hope you enjoy!

As Dreamer's Do

- For low budget a very good film
- Good job storytelling
- Slow in the beginning picked up when main actor came in
- Very true to actual events, costuming, and sets!
- Overall, decent independent film. I would watch it again, but I would not see it in theaters.

My Disney Experience 

Episode 10: Less Than 20 Days / FastPass+ Plus Blunder

On this Episode of the DisLIZney Podcast I discuss the last 20 day until my trip and where I am at in the planning process.  Also, I discuss the cons of the new FastPass+ System.  Let me hear from you what you think of the new system. 

Be sure to connect with my on:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
google+
or by email: dislizney13@gmail.com I hope you enjoy!

Forums discussing Pros/Cons of FastPass+

Advice Regarding FastPass+


Attractions that are available for FastPass+

DisLIZneyfied: Custom Disney Shoes! (Tutorial)

The Best of Disney

Disney Inspired Shoes

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email: dislizney13@gmail.com

                                     

                                     

What you will need

1. White canvas shoes

2. modge podge

3. two fine black permanent markers

4. Various fine tip paint brushes

5. Paint marker color of your choosing (optional)

6. Various paint colors (acrylic seems to work best)

7. pencil and eraser

Before starting this tutorial check out this tutorial on how-to transfer a photo to canvas.  This will work for your canvas shoes.

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/10/make-your-own-canvas-portrait.html

Characters to shoe

1. Select the characters you would like

2. Determine where each character will go (you can use the trim as a way to seperate the spaces as I did)

3. Measure each space of the shoe and be sure character fits in the space.

4. Using the "make-your-own-canvas-portrait" transfer the picture to the shoe (this will take some time)

5. When picture is transfered use the permanent pen to trace all of the black lines.

Note: I would do this part of the tutorial first for all characters you plan to put on the shoes

Remember you can paint over anything you do not like.

My hand drawn John Smith and Pocahontas, before discovering modge podge. (Absolutely terrible)

First coat of white paint/ second coat of white paint. (Hand drawn gone!)

Painting a Background

Before this step if you plan on using the trim to seperate spaces and want to outline it. Directions for this will be at the bottem of this tutorial.

Note: Be sure to do this before painting your characters; this will help if you make mistakes (I know this is hard because I myself am impatient) Use a picture to get an idea of what you want and match colors. (Unless you are really creative)

My mistake I basically had to go back and repaint both characters all over again.

1. Use a pencil to sketch out your background

2. Start painting your back ground to your likely 

3. Use your best judgment for the type of brush you should use.

4. When mixing colors you just have to play around with the colors you have; to get the color you want. 

Tips: Pay attention to fine details.

Use good lighting.

You can paint all the backgrounds of each section or you can just work each section at a time.

Painting Characters

Note: Be sure to paint characters after background.

Steps are similar to that of painting the background.

Extra Step: Re-trace the black lines (you might want to reprint you picture to remember where the lines are)

Tips:

1. Use a very fine paint brush for small detail

2. Use a permanent marker for eyes, lips, and any other fine detail.

3. If you don't like how somthing turned out repaint it.

4. Use a thin layer of modge podge over each character to protect it. (if you don't, when you seal the shoe the permanent marker will run)

5. For items that are transparent (Tiana's vail), Paint what is suppose do be behind it then use a little bit of water mixed into the paint to make it lighter.

6. BE CREATIVE!

Final Step: Use a spray paint sealent to protect entire shoe. (Read directions before using)

Share your shoes with me!

Coloring the Trim

1.Use Modge Podge and coat the trim with a thin layer (this will make the paint pen really shine)

Left side without Modge Podge/ Right side with Modge Podge.

2. Use a paint pen color of your liking all over the trim. (read directions on pen)

2. Let dry before Painting Background.

Shoes I made for my sister!

Shoes I made for my niece

Custom Frozen Shoes by Fan of the Blog

Episode 3: Pre-Planning Podcast

Here is a podcast that I made before we went on vacation (2 months ago).  I will post a trip report soon telling you how the trip went!

Remember if you are following me please leave me feedback and let me know how I am doing!

Apologies

I apologize for not posting anything recently.  After getting back from vacation we have been crazy busy. Hubby is still in graduate school at nights (he did a project on Disney recently).  And if we weren't busy enough we got a new puppy four weeks ago.  Not just any puppy we got a Saint Bernard puppy, She has already doubled in size and much taller than when we first got her!  Needless to say I hope to be posting a new blog/podcast very soon.  

new puppy!!!

56 Days!

So I have done some major planning today.

I not only have restaurant reservations from before now I have a day by day, hour by hour plan.  This in no means that the plan will be stuck to but hey a girl can dream.  The following is what our 7 day plan looks like.  Complete with restaurant reservations. (I am sure I will have to change the plan multiple times before it is complete) Click on the link to look at the itinerary

Please let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions. (i.e. rides I don't have on my list, or places to eat)

Arrival

Anniversary in the Kingdom

Animals

Illuminations

A Whole New World

Hollywood!

Note: some rides are repeated, this is in case we don't get to the ride the day before!

Planning a Magical Vacation

I have been doing major magical planning all week long (even at work  

).  From dining in the park to an hour by hour itinerary.  It is safe to say it is almost completely planned for; except a few things they we need to wait on.   

Word of advice do not wait to make dining reservations as you will not get your first pick.  Most guide books suggest 180 days prior to vacation.  Don't make the same mistake I did and think that is too early.  It is never too early, you can always change it later.  Also, use the mydisneyexperience website right off the waltdisneyworld.com website to book reservations.  

I might even suggest using a site like touringplan.com or onceuponatimetravelers@yahoo.com (travel agents) to help you with your plans if you are like me and can't alway think that far in advance.  All of these including the new mydisneyexperience are excellent tools that will help bring your vacation from fantastic to fantasmic!!

So far we have changed our current reservation to include a table service meal per day and one quick service meal per day.  We looked at the math and we think the meal plan will pretty much pay for itself.  So, this is what I would have to say to anyone who thinks they might have a lot of sit down meals (Which we tend to do a lot), just go ahead and pay the extra money chances are you will end up paying more then it is worth anyway!  

Alright as far as packing goes this is what I do; last year I bought an iPhone app called Packing Pro.  It is an excellent app that allows you to customize your packing list, as well as has a default list of essentials that you might need on any trip.  Best part of this app is it will save your information for the next time you plan on using it.  I have tons of packing tips and ideas (most I found on pinterest) let me know if you want me to tell you about any of them!

Next item of business...I FOUND MY LEAVE A LEGACY INFORMATION PACKET! There are two locations but they are right next each other.  

Here are the tile locators address,

     - East 6-F-21-8-12

     - East 6-F-21-8-11

If I remember correctly we had a little trouble finding them at first even with knowing what they are suppose to look like.  I am sure if you look you can a cast member for help and I believe I did show you the picture of them so you should be able to find them.  

That is all I have right now, I will keep you update when the trip gets closer.  I am sure I will have plenty of updates to come.  We are 70 days out and counting.  We both need a vacation really bad right and absolutely can not wait to have a fun filled and somewhat relaxing vacation.

I will post a typical day in the parks real soon!

AS always have a Fantasmic week