Alaskan Cruise on Princess Cruise Line

The Alaskan cruise season runs from early May to early October and most all cruise lines have some sort of itinerary available.  We chose Princess for a couple of reasons.  First, we'd never sailed with them and if you know anything about our agency, we value first-hand experience with the products we sell in order to guide our clients.  Princess also had an interesting itinerary that fit our schedule.  If you don't choose an itinerary that is round-trip between Seattle, you'll most likely fly into or out of Canada at one end of your trip.  This means you'll be required to have a valid passport.

Royal Princess docked in Skagway, AK

Our trip was early June on the Royal Princess for a 7-Day Inside Passage with Glacier Bay.  Before we stepped foot on the ship, we spent a little time in Seattle, WA.  I strongly encourage cruise clients (regardless of where you're cruising from or to) to arrive at the port at least one day early.  I have another blog on the reasons so I won't go over them again.  Please check this link out for more info.  I also prepared a short blog about Seattle, WA as well.  That link coming soon.  

Weather and Packing

With a great amount of our leisure time spent in tropical climates, one of the most challenging aspects of our trip was packing.  We just didn't know what to bring.  Most of the port cities we visited are part of the largest temperate rainforest in North America.  We were expecting daily rain and clouds, so having clothes that would dry fast was important.  

Before we left for our trip, we visited Sierra.  It's part of the TJX family of brands (TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods), and offer the exact type of clothing were were looking for.  Brands such as Columbia, Merrill, Spyder, and The American Outdoorsman fit the bill.  I purchased half a dozen plain, colored t-shirts.  They weren't the sporty dry-fast shirts you might be used to, though.  These were much softer and thin.  I got three or four pair of pants and a hooded, rainproof jacket.  

Something that surprised me as compared to Caribbean cruising was the ability to reuse outfits over the course of the trip.  Since the temps were mild, our clothes weren't disgusting at the end of the day after exploring each port.  I'd layer a t-shirt, long sleeve, and possibly a sweatshirt with a pair of quick-dry pants and waterproof shoes.  We'd carry a backpack with stocking caps, gloves, and rain coats just in case.  Here is a complete list of my clothes as well as other odds and ends I took. Coming Soon!

If you purchase quick-drying clothes, even if you're unfortunate enough to be soaked, you'll still get a couple of days from each outfit if needed.  While there was a formal night on our cruise, in general, we didn't see people getting as dressed up for dinner.  Often, we'd wear the same outfit we'd worn during our port adventures to dinner that night.  I highly value comfort over being fancy!

What I Enjoyed the Most on the Ship

Balcony Room

I truly think you'd regret being on a ship without a balcony.  The ability to step outside my cabin to the brisk, salty-fresh air as the ship glides by snow-capped mountains and dense forests is not to be underrated.  Technically, we had a mini suite, not a traditional balcony room.  The MS offered us a bit more cabin space and a seating area.  Check out a video of our room on YouTube.

Music and Comedy

A couple of the activities I like when I cruise is live music and comedy.  Both were a hit on this ship.  The Trawlermen is a UK-based folk band who did some amazing covers of more contemporary rock songs.  Our comedian was solid, offering both family and adult-themed shows.  It was a bit disappointing they didn't move him to a larger venue for his adult-themed show since it filled rather quickly.

Food and Drinks

The food on the ship was decent but I do concur that the pizza on board was a step above what you'd expect for cruise pizza, heck even most restaurant pizza, too.  Like with most cruises, I don't elect to pay extra for specialty dining so we stuck with the included provisions as well as our two free "casual meals" that came with our beverage and wi-fi package (Princess Plus).  

Seafood pizza at Alfredo's

The pizza at Prego Pizzeria was fantastic with three choices of topping that rotated daily.  Alfredo's Pizzeria was how we spent one of our casual meal credits.  They had many basic varieties (very similar to Prego) with the option to pay extra to upgrade.  I was disappointed there was an upcharge to get more pizza topping choices since this was already an "upgraded" meal.  The Trident Grill, located next to Prego, offered grilled hamburgers that were top-notch.  I'd have happily had burgers and pizza the entire trip.

Excursions

Each port of call has something to offer.  We b

Not a photo from my trip....

ooked a whale watching excursion with Harv & Marv's before we arrived in Juneau.  It included round-trip transportation from the port to Auke Bay, the boat journey to search for whales, and a brief stop to get a photo with Mendenhall Glacier in the background.  We saw whales but none breached like in the photo below.  We also saw orcas (killer whales), seals, and sea lions.  

Gateway to the Yukon

I'd have to say that my favorite experience of the trip was the White Pass and Yukon Route train excursion in Skagway.  This 2.5-3 hour round-trip trip was a highlight of my trip and helped satisfy a need to see some areas away from the ports.  If possible, arrive early at the loading point for the trip and ask, encourage (,...beg!) to be on the last car.  It offers a premium vantage point to take photos and videos of the experience.  Here is link to YouTube to see a clip of our train experience.

With our time before or after our excursions and while in Ketchikan where we had nothing planned, we just walked the streets, visiting shops and taking in the sites.  There is plenty of cruise port shopping for those who need an ulu knife, sweatshirt with your choice of a bear, salmon, or whale, or birch syrup.  They have plenty of  other cool stuff, too. 

What I'd Do Differently

Land Cruise Tour Combo

I did love the 7-day cruise but would have really enjoyed some time before the trip having more experiences on land.  With the exception of a quick blur of fur running into the weeds, I never saw a bear, sigh.  While I don't fancy myself as an intrepid hiker, I'd have loved to have a bit more wilderness exploring.  When considering any sort of land cruise combo, you have to keep in mind that you not only are you adding cost to your vacation, but most every land cruise tour originates or terminates with a Canadian port.  This means you'd have to have a current passport in order for us to book this sort of trip for you. 

"No Kings...Crab"

One restaurant I saw repeatedly while researching Alaskan cruises (and saw both locations in Juneau) is Tracy's Crab Shack.  The location closest to the port is reportedly very busy when the ships come in but a short walk toward Juneau (10-12 minutes) finds you their less busy 2nd location with the same quality everyone raves about.  I do kick myself for not splurging and getting a mess of crab legs...  

Double-Check Those Next Day Flight Options

The last thing I would consider, and this will definitely depend on your home airport, would be staying one post-cruise night to take advantage of an early morning, non-stop flight home.  The trip back to Indy was tumultuous at best and involved flight delays at SEA-TAC because some yahoo mentioned the "B-word" while on his plane, mid-air text and emails between with our airline to switch to a later flight in Chicago, and a sprint through the airport by some of the party (...thanks Ted, Andy, Brendan, and Emma) to check-in at our connecting gate while the rest of the party ambled along.  

Most all AK cruises have a brief stop in Vancouver, Canada

Honestly, this is from the Canadian Pavilion from Epcot ;)

The front of the train from the back of the train.

White Pass and Yukon Rail with the Royal Princess in the background

Blue sky and snow-capped mountains

Don't forget to like us on Facebook.  Follow us here for more info about all of the destinations we can help you plan and book.  And in case you didn't know this, our help is always free. ~Joe

 

The "Magic" of staying at a Disney resort

The Grand Floridian, a deluxe resort located on the Monorail system

            

When working with clients, we are sometimes asked what advantage there is to staying at a Walt Disney World resort.  Many times, people feel that they can skip the resort and save money on their trip.  While there might be a savings, we believe the pros of being on property far outweigh modest, monetary savings.  Not sure if you'll save, request a free quote.

Disney World has over 25 different resort options spanning from budget-friendly value resorts, mid-level moderate resorts, extravagant deluxe resorts and even a campground.  Prices range from $130-$6000 per night and depend on the resort category, room category, and travel dates.  Generally, you can expect to spend $200-400 per night.   

 Time - You will spend time traveling to and from the off-property resorts.  Something to remember is that Walt Disney World is HUGE!  It covers over 20,000 acres and is the size of Manhattan.  Time is valuable, especially if you have a short trip.  It will be less convenient to go back and take naps mid-day if you aren't close to your WDW resort.

The Skyliner Gondola

      Transportation - You have free transportation once you arrive at your Disney resort.  So, there is no need for a rental car.  The resort shuttles run every 5-25 minutes which varies depending on the time of day.  Some off-property resorts offer shuttles but they may only come two times a day or every hour.  And this is all if the hotel even offers theme park transfers.   

     If you decide to drive or rent a car to give you more flexibility, keep in mind that theme park parking is $30/day for non-resort guests (free if you're staying on property).  

    

     Money and Promotions - Staying on property with a package, which includes a resort stay and ticket plus the option to add a dining plan, makes you eligible for Disney promotions.  If these come out, even after booking, we will apply them to save you money.  Also, a package requires a $200 deposit and final payment 30 days before travel.  You can cancel anytime before final payment is due.  If you book a ticket-only reservation (and stay off-property), the full amount of tickets is due at the time of purchase and these are non-refundable.

     Early Park Entry - Resort guests are eligible for entry to select parks 30 minutes before anyone else.  Rope drop is only possible if you are coming from a Disney resort.

     Lightning Lane Advance Purchase - If you decide to purchase LL passes, you can do so 7 days prior to travel if you're a resort guest.  For others, it's 3 days prior.  This could be the difference between getting or not getting a pass for a particular ride.  Not sure what a Lighting Lane pass is, read more here.

The Beast at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom

      Dining Plan - You must stay on Disney property to purchase a Dining Plan.  If  you purchase the Disney Dining Plan, we will make those reservations for you as part of our free services.  Depending on your needs, the DDP or the simpler Quick Service dining plan, is designed for convenience and can be a way to save.  Check out this blog to find out if you'd benefit from a dining plan.

 Character Dining - Whether staying on property or not, you can still make reservations for a character meal.  WDW resort guests can do this 60 days before travel, others wait until 30 days before travel.  This might make difference of getting the meal you want to experience.

The "Magic" - As corny as it sounds, there is something to be said about being immersed in Disney.  If you stay on property, from the moment you arrive, you are enveloped.  Your off-property resort won't have Mickey-shaped waffles, Disney art, or  themed-pools.  No Disney gift shop, no cast members, and no whimsical Disney background music.  That special "something" disappears at the end of a long day visiting the parks when you pile into your car and head for your off-property hotel.  

Perhaps, one of the saddest signs of all times!

The "What if...." - I wrote this blog just one day after Hurricane Milton struck central-Florida.  Amanda, one of our agents, was visiting and offered a unique insight to being "stuck at Disney" during a storm.  Somethings we learned are that WDW has constructed buildings to withstand Category 5 storms, the resorts have generators, and maybe most importantly, Disney has a plan.  

Activity board at Contemporary Resort

After the theme parks and common areas closed, guests were sequestered to their respective resorts to ride out the storm.  It appeared that sufficient notice was provided about what would be closed and when.  The resorts that had interior access to a central lobby (mostly, your deluxe resorts) could access the amenities such as the store, arcade (which was free!), and restaurants.  Disney had a variety of activities to pass the time and once the storm has passed and it was safe, Disney start to shift back to business as normal.  

The theme parks were scheduled to reopen about 30 hours after they closed.  I added a couple of her photos below.

   

Extra towels and shampoo, furniture moved inside, and sandbags at the doors

One of the Monorails parked inside the Contemporary Resort

  

Carts and signs tied down for the hurricane

Lamps covered to prevent damage from debris

Don't forget to like us on Facebook.  Follow us here for more tips and tricks, not only for Walt Disney World resorts but all of the destinations we can help you plan and book.  And in case you didn't know this, our help is always free. ~Joe

Moon Palace, Jamaica versus Beaches Negril, Jamaica

 Fall 2023 we stayed at two different family all inclusive resorts in Jamaica to compare them for families. I would encourage families to stay at either one with no concerns but different families are looking for different pros and cons. So here is how they compare:

Beach Scene

Moon Palace is situated in a bay in Ocho Rios with calm waters and a small beach area. There were always lounge chairs available so I wouldn't consider it "too small".  Beaches Negril is situated on the beautiful open 7 miles of white sandy beaches directly on the ocean. Here you will have more water activities to choose from. Beaches (and Sandals) always have luxury included water sports. At Beaches Negril you will have kayaking, hobie cats, paddle boarding, diving (free for certified divers), snorkeling, banana boats and ocean trikes. Moon Palace offers paddleboarding and kayaking. If you want to spend the day in the shade or sun beachside, Beaches definitely has a huge expanse of options even while at 91% occupancy during our stay.

Moon Palace had some water activities available at an additional charge including a dolphin experience on property plus snorkeling and scuba diving for a fee.

View at Moon Palace, Jamaica

Free Water Sports at Beaches Negril: Hobie cats, kayaks, paddle boarding, banana boats, snorkeling are all included in the price!

Pool Activities

Moon Palace had a mix of all age groups and everyone seemed to have enough to do. There is a surfing flow rider that never had a line, water volleyball and staff creating activities in the pool. Beaches definitely has their young visitors under 10 covered with an entire Pirates Water park fully staffed with lifeguards and servers stopping by to check on you. There is water  and beach volleyball and activities and crafts nearby at both resorts.

Beaches definitely wins on all accounts for the theming and pool features for children under 10. The staff clearly enjoys and engages with kids, there is a lazy river, slides, pouring buckets of water and a large expanse of water fun.

Kids Clubs

Both resorts offer kids clubs for all ages. The Beaches Negril kids area definitely wins in the category for guests under 10. They have a brand new facility opened in 2023, with the biggest climb through tunnels spanning two rooms I have seen. There are two "shoes free" rooms for the under 5 children so that any toddlers on the floor will be in a clean environment. Beaches partners with Sesame Street to bring the characters to the islands. There are parades with characters where the children join in, random character pop ups, theming and  activities for the children to experience the Sesame Street team. There is also a club for 12+ but that is more of a meet up location where kids can check themselves in and out. Staff here is autism certified, CPR certified and clearly well trained. We saw several groups out throughout the week with groups of children eating, playing, and doing activities. Kids were happy and well taken care of, staff was in tune with the kids and the staff to child ratio was perfect. 

My thoughts: Beaches for 10 and under, Palace for 10+. This is a general comment and of course many travel with extended family and have children that span that age gap. I would go on the side of the younger traveler if you want a peaceful trip where they will be occupied.

Spa

Both resorts have a spa and their spas do include some options for junior guests. I overheard some very excited teens on their way to their spa treatments. 

Tipping

This one is always something to plan for in pricing your trips. When Beaches Resorts (and their parent company, Sandals) say ALL-INCLUSIVE, they mean it. Tipping is forbidden on site. This is much easier because on these trips you find yourself at a swim up bar and there's no good place to keep your money dry to tip. You don't see a difference in service based on the biggest tippers. Three places where tipping during a Beaches vacation is allowed but not required: transfer drivers, spa treatment and butler service.

Palace Resorts do not require tipping but it would seem weird not to tip. We tip our transfer driver, the bellhop, the dessert bar, the meals, the room service, bars...you get the point, it adds up.

Safety and Security

We get asked a lot about the safety of a trip to Jamaica, we are always surprised by the ideas some Americans have about travel to Jamaica. I can only assume it is from people that are getting off at cruise ports that are notoriously a frenzied mess or from stories of others that wondered aimlessly through the streets. My husband is a police officer and keenly aware of the dangers most do not notice in our hometown and surrounding area. He has never been concerned. First, we suggest you stay on property or leave only with the designated paid excursions that the resort has already vetted on your behalf. Next, don't wander off property intoxicated or in search of anything from the local "farmers".  There are security personnel on property, video cameras on the beach and excursion desks available to book your trips should you choose to go somewhere. We waked the Negril open beach midday with no concerns and saw security, police and lots of tourists out. We did get approached by locals offering their wears but no one was aggressive, with a swift "no thank you", we were on our way.  Since the beaches are public, there are people walking through or people offering parasailing or marijuana, you can politely refuse and keep walking with no issues whatsoever. 

Accommodations

This really comes down to what you are looking for and what you value in your stay. Beaches properties are very clean with constant staff stepping up to clear all area of drinks, trash, and unused towels. Palace didn't seem to have the same high employee to customer ratio but it was certainly sufficient. The rooms, most meals and snack areas at Palace are in an air conditioned interior building. Our room was oversized with a nice stand up shower (important to me), our "resort view" was just laughable, we were looking at the dirty rooftop of the rest of the resort out our 5 inch French balcony. If a view matters to you, be intentional with upgrading to a room that is beachfront.

Beaches rooms have a very large range and one main reason that booking with a travel agent instead of booking yourself is so important. Again, we have the lowest category of room, it is clean and sufficient. The lowest level here is a garden view, so no dirty red roof! It is a full balcony and not the tiny fake balcony. However, the bathroom does show it's age and the intention of having a tub for bathing children. Then on the other extreme, there are the nicest beach front family accommodations I have seen on any property of any brand. They are astonishing (reach out for a video if interested). As this resort undergoes continual refurbishment I believe the lower categories will be more inviting.

The common areas at Beaches are designed for children under 10. It is smaller than some giant resorts allowing for maneuverability with small children without extreme hassle. There are a lot of multigenerational families and returning guests.

Restaurants

Both resorts have hibachi, sushi, brick oven pizza, jerk shacks, buffets and only a couple require reservations that were easy to secure at check in. Beaches has a delicious new option, Yaku Peruvian food which was excellent. We also enjoyed the Mexican restaurant, Mariachi at both lunch and dinner. They had me at fresh churros!

Moon Palace Jamaica has an area of different food court style options open most of the day. Grab sushi, pizza or sandwiches to order. Their dessert and coffee bar just keeps begging me to come back!

The great thing about a resort focused on children...those of us that eat like children are in great shape. This frozen yogurt restaurant never turned me away...even on my third visit in the same day.

Both have designated dessert restaurants open all day and ice cream which is a big plus for me! Beaches pulls ahead in this area with YoYos frozen yogurt with toppings.

One difficulty at Beaches is that the majority of the dining is outside under covered patios with fans. If you have someone that really needs to get into air conditioning to enjoy their vacation, this would be a frustration. There are no indoor breakfast or lunch options. 

Price Comparison

Looking at entry level, balcony rooms September 2024 for 6 nights for two adults and two kids (14 and 9) the resort cost before flights:

Palace: $2,762.96

Beaches: $5,031.20

(this is not a quote for travel as prices continuously change and are different depending on dates and times of year)

Palace is nearly half the price so you can compare what matters most to you. As Disney enthusiasts, it really reminds me of Pop Century compared to the Grand Floridian. You pay more for the different amenities. So you have to decide what type of trip or experience you are most interested in.

Why choose Beaches?

We book and visit all locations and don't have an interest in one over the other. As travel agents we want our clients happiest so they make memories with their families and book return trips through us. As I contemplated the price difference, I considered who I would think would prefer Beaches.

Sesame street characteres roamed the grounds of Beaches Negril

• Divers: Free diving on site. If you have a diver in the family it is completely free for certified divers to dive twice each day by signing up the day before and showing credentials. Joe dove twice a day for 4 days, those 8 dives would have been expensive to book separately.  All equipment is provided.

Joe between complimentary dives at Beaches Negril

• Sesame Street enthusiasts: The characters are readily available throughout the trip, they stop for photos and interaction, have the on site parade and an inexpensive character breakfast option. There are also shows and activities with the characters included for no additional charge.

Not even jumping into the trash with Oscar could ruin a great Jamaican day!

• Beach Lovers: If being on the beach and in the ocean are important to you, this beach is miles long in both directions and clear water. The Palace beach is small and a bay without clear water.
• Butler service: If it is in your budget, the butler options here are more worthwhile than Sandals in our parenting opinion! Start your day getting ready in the room while the butler brings an sets up your breakfast for the family. Butlers will beat the rush to grab your spot on the beach and mark it as Butler Elite, they bring a cooler to your site, fill it with your family's requests and refill as needed. They bring meals from restaurants, pizza or bbq out to your family at your request. Drinks are never empty and they are a quick call away for any needs you might have, forgot your sunscreen in the room but have toddlers at the beach? No problem, call the butler. This service would make the trip a lot less exhausting with young children.

Airport Transfers

Airport transfers are seamless and included at both resorts.

When you are ready to book this or hundreds of other locations, please reach out, there are never any fees to book with us and have traveled to bring you the most important insider info from each location! dillontravels@gmail.com

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Dining at Disney on a Budget

 Top Tips for Saving on food at Disney World

1. Plan ahead...seems obvious, right...

2. Order from Amazon, Shipt, or local grocery delivery in Orlando directly to your resort. We talked to the staff working in that department while on property in May 2023. They receive deliveries every day and the companies scan in and take it into the holding area where luggage is stored when you arrive and on the day of your departure. As we asked questions for 15 minutes, three different outside vendors made deliveries. There are not fees imposed by Disney as long as you choose to pick it up yourself. If you ask them to bring it to your room there is a small fee. I would suggest you bring $5 to tip them as you would with retrieving your luggage on check out day. They cautioned me that guests need to ensure they use the specific and accurate address of the resort that can easily be found by going to www.disneyworld.com then clicking hotels, choosing yours and scrolling down on the right hand side. They suggest the name on your reservation and check in date be on the label. 

3. WATER, depending on your family´s pickiness level, this might mean bringing your own refillable mugs that you will fill at many of the available drink stations throughout all parks or in the food court using the water option on the fountain. Water at Magic Kingdom is AWFUL, it has a very strong sulfer smell. We brought 3 $5 cases from home but once I saw everything being seamlessly delivered that seems worth trying.

 4. Don´t allow family to order drinks at meals, we do this at all locations we eat at throughout the year because we have 7 kids. By the time you add the cost of a soda ($4-6) plus tip, plus tax on that amount a family of 4 has easily added $20 to their meal. I prefer to spend my drink money at the Dole whip stand!

5. If flying Southwest, pack snacks, protein bars, oatmeal packets, water flavor packets, cereal, dried fruit in your luggage since you get two free pieces of luggage with each ticket. Then on the way home you have space for all the extra Mickey Ears you bought!

6. Plan the meals you will eat each day in advance by looking at the menus and pricing on the app. Maybe you are a super planner and you will do this prior to leaving home. I do this for two reasons. ¨where does everyone want to eat¨ might be the most annoying phrase in the world of Mom. While on a trip, I don´t need additional decisions or confusion. Once my kids alert me that they are hungry they are actually on the pentacle of a breakdown and no great decision making will happen. I like to compare reviews, pricing and the likes of my kids. Then I make note of it and you can also note things on your app. My 21 year old daughter and I prefer to share so we are not stuffed and nauseated while hopping on rides. We also eat a meal to survive but want to grab snacks and treats. Some table service meals do not allow sharing if it is all you care to eat or a buffet. This is often the case with favorites like Ohana and character dining. If you will be doing these meals and/or have kids between 3-9 the dining plan would likely save money. You can read my article: Dining Plan for 2024

7. If you are staying at a Disney Resort, value or moderate resort you can usually by an XL whole pizza for $22. This is an excellent price and decent pizza.

8. Via Napoli in EPCOT requires reservations and can be affordable if you choose to buy two large pizzas and water. We did this with 6 adults (4 were starving guys) with tax and tip we paid about $120 for dinner for 6. That is a great ¨in park¨ price an brick oven pizza with toppings. Most families of 4 could do with 1/2 this.

9. Plan one serious meal a day around 2-3pm. This will be less crowded at meals but the most crowded time in the parks making it a great (HOT) time to stop and eat. This will require everyone to get up and eat in the room with the food you delivered, or bought and bringing snacks for the morning. Then snack from your backpack and grab a large pizza at the end of the night to share in the food court. Pizza pictured below is a food court meal!

10. Breakfast in the room is not only a cost saver but a time saver and smoother start to your day. Our adult daughter, went down and asked for a free cup and spoon, got Hot water from the machines for tea at the drink fountain and made oatmeal most days. I like cereal but NOT milk, so I bring baggies and miniwheats and eat them on transportation to the park. For those that prefer milk it is sold in the foodcourt. Our boys grabbed protein bars but we did have to feed them in lines throughout the day or they would have wilted.

11. Drinks are such an enormous waste of money! If you or someone in your party is not going to survive without a truly fountain soda, you can get a refillable mug for use at resort for $22. You could take this to the park but only refill with water (and a flavor packet) there. I would bring a carabiner clip to avoid carrying on the backpack once it is empty. You can bring single serve instant coffee (Starbucks has an excellent one) and make your own coffee in the morning in the food court with creamer and sweetener for free. You could also bring tea and make your own then add their ice if you prefer it iced. 

12. Check out all the options for meals at Disney Springs, Earl of Sandwich is an 14incredible bargain and excellent food. It is easily packaged in foil to bring back to the hotel refrigerator.

13. Finally, if you want the convenience of the dining plan but can´t make sense of the cost, we chose to buy a Disney Gift card this last trip for our 17 year old. I figured out how many table service meals I would buy, and brought breakfast. So, I added up how many quick services he would buy. I figured on average they are about $15 without drinks plus tax and a snack for about $6-7 a day. I did the math for number of meals a snack a day and a resort mug then explained this and he did his own budget. If he overspent, that was on him which doubled as a great life lesson. It also made it so much less stressful because he never asked me if he could have a drink or snack. He could have whatever he wanted it as long as he paid for it!

14. We also did a lunch table service at Wilderness Canyon cafe for all you care to eat BBQ for about $30 a person with tax. This was a very filling meal and one of the boys favorites. If I was only traveling with my daughter, this would not have been a top pick but my boys can EAT!

For more tips and fun, follow us @instagram disney.dillon or Facebook   and feel free to email for a quote dillontravels@gmail.com Remember we are paid by our vendors like Disney, Sandals, Virgin Voyages Palace, and Royal Caribbean (and many more) so our services are 100% free to you!

Dining plan for 2024

We have anxiously awaited the return of the dining plan and now the date is set and the details are released for January 9, 2024.  It is time to look at who should and should not choose the dining plan.  

Before we delve too far into this, let's explain the difference between a quick service and a table service meal.  Quick Service won't require reservations.  You will walk up to a restaurant or kiosk and order from a sign board or menu.  Typical QS meals would be a chicken fingers basket, sandwich with fries, personal pizza with a small salad, or similar.  Think of it like a fast-food restaurant.  

Table service meals are sit down meals where you have a server who comes to your table or it's a buffet.  They DO require reservations.  All character meals are table service although a few require two TS credits per person.  If you purchase the Disney Dining plan with table service meals, we will can assist you with making those reservations.  Now, back to what we think!

While this is similar to the previous Dining plans of three years ago, one big change is the increase in cost of the adult Dining plan. The quick service plan for adults only increased a few dollars and the children´s plan for both quick service and standard dining plan are slightly less than before.

The Disney Dining plan is now $94.28 for adults (10 and up) and $29.69 for those 3-9 years old. The Quick Service plan is now $57.01 per adult  and $23.83 per child.

While I love Disney and sell Disney, I am also a mom of 7 and we vacation a lot. This means making sure to do things on a budget when possible. This new standard dining plan is pretty pricey depending on your length of stay and plans while traveling.

Benefits of the standard dining plan:

• Convenience reigns supreme, it is nice to pretend your trip is free once you arrive on property. Sure you paid a TON for your meals but once you get there and you are going to character and specialty meals and enjoying specialty smoothies, a beer or cocktail as well as a dessert at every table service you can live like a queen and put the price out of your mind!
• When paying for teens or young adults you can´t beat the convenience of teaching them how to use the plan and allowing them some freedom to learn how to budget their meals.
• You can plan the cost of your trip in advance and only spend money on gratuities while on property.

Cons:

• Well, it is expensive. Unfortunately, eating on Disney property without the plan will be pretty expensive as well.
• I find myself overindulging at times to take full advantage of my dining plan. 
• You really need to plan to have a table service meal each day on the standard dining plan to make it a reasonable cost.

Is the dining plan worth the cost?

It really comes down to how your family eats. Are they going to order a steak, enjoy a dessert and order a specialty smoothy, mocktail or cocktail? Then you will be able to break even without worrying about costs throughout the week. But if you are used to splitting meals, prefer to keep moving and not stop to sit down, don´t care for alcohol and won´t do a lot of character meals this might not be a savings.

Typical day that the dining plan works:

Magic Kingdom:

Quick Service at Columbia Harbor House with a Trio Platter for $14.29 or a lobster roll for $16.29 with a lemon slushy for $5.99

Snack: PIneapple Dole Whip float for $6.99 

Dinner at Ohana: $59 including dessert and a cocktail $14.50-16.50

Total is about $102.50 (savings of about $10 plus the resort refillable mug that will be used throughout the stay)

Child:

Ohana alone is $38+$5.50-6.50 for a specialty drink is $43-45 for this meal alone.

snack: dole whip $6.99 (because you have to train them in the way of the whip early)

lunch at Columbia Harbor House: kids meal $8.50

Total is about $59 savings of $30

If you are traveling with kids 3-9 the dining plan is likely worth it. If you are traveling with kids, plan specialty meals/character meals and will drink alcohol the plan will be a savings!

For more tips and fun, follow us @instagram disney.dillon or Facebook   and feel free to email for a quote dillontravels@gmail.com Remember we are paid by our vendors like Disney, Sandals, Virgin Voyages, Palace Resorts, and Royal Caribbean (and many more) so our services are 100% free to you!

Sci Fi dining with Fantasmic priority seating

Disney 2023

 One thing we LOVE about Disney is the constant innovation and every trip is a different experience. One thing I struggle with at Disney is change. Okay, I said it. I love Disney but gosh, these last 3 years have really been a trip on the spinning teacups. 

New Things I LOVE!

• Pop Century: the renovations over the past few years that incorporate a fold away bed and upgraded both beds to queen size really makes the resort work so much better for all the adult children we have. Folding the bed away helps me relax and not feel like the room is stuffed full. The bathroom design  with the sliding door that allows one person to shower, another to be changing or getting ready privately, and the rest of the party to be in the main room are very nice for a large family. The skyliner (gondola to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios) seals the deal making this my resort of choice. Pro Tip: There are 5 value resorts but only two have standard rooms on the skyliners path: Pop Century and Art of Animation. These are more expensive than All Stars but well worth the added expense.
• 
  Guardians of the Galaxy amazed us all. I have heard from others that if you struggle with being motion sick this ride will wreck you. It swivels while in motion. I have seen the first movie, and liked it. A Guardians fan would lose their minds. There are a variety of songs that randomly play so each ride is unique. Pro Tip: right now you have to get on the app and try to get in the virtual queue at 7 am, The only way to do 7 am is if you are staying on property and for 2023, have a reservation to the park. These spots are taken in SECONDS. Have several people in your party logged into the app clicking refresh, one person can get it for all once they are ¨in¨. There is a second opportunity at 1 pm if you miss the first one or are not staying on property. You have to be inside the park with the ride you want to join the queue    

• Tron is great, I was impressed until I road Guardians of the Galaxy :-) Still a solid ride and my husband that gets motion sick did fine on the ride other than his anxiety that it might be bad. He would describe it as a faster, smoother Space Mountain with less drops. He preferred it over space mountain. He struggles with slight sickness on Star Tours or Pandora.
• Ratatouille was adorable and I really liked it. We were able to use our early park entry to get their quickly with a reasonable wait. I will continue to ride it and it is much better than the ¨little kids rides"at Magic Kingdom. It is not a thrill rides so older kids may be annoyed with the wait. There are so many things happening quickly that you could ride it a lot to see new things. The motion on this ride is similar to Toy Story Mania. Pro Tip: Place short travelers in the front because I was annoyed with looking at the people (in my own family) in front of me in our cart and I am 5´6¨
• Reservation changes while traveling are very easy on the app if you work to understand it. Pro Tip: We planned our dining very late. Only weird times were left, so we were checking once we arrived and a lot of new times were available. Grab any dining you can get then make changes on the go.
• Parking at the resort is FREE AGAIN!!

Changes that made me look like Eeyore

• Old Fast Pass...oh how I miss you. For those of you Disney diehards that have been around for 25 years of repeated Disney trips we have seen quite the ride wait evolution. In the beginning, there was a race across the park with family theme park tickets for the whole party to grab a fast pass that you would come back for with no wait. This was AMAZING, well it was for those of us that were efficient and felt we were Disney Ninjas. I suspect it was great because most people were not utilizing it. Then the fastpass went online allowing a lot more people to plan, it also allowed people to plan in advance and limited the ¨good passes¨. Then, no passes...now this wild Genie+ option that comes with a fee that limits participation. I feel like my clients are paying enough and it frustrates me that there are added fees. Pro Tip: You need to make your plans on your app before you go, familiarize yourself with it and you will have a lot easier trip making and changing plans as needed throughout your trip.

• I have missed the dining plan. It was a big part of our vacations because Disney has some amazing meals as well as entertainment/character meals that are a set fee that is pricey for many families. The dining plan is returning in 2024 but it will be pricey and with other increases it won´t be affordable for all. Pro Tip: price out your next trip with and without the dining plan to decide if the convenience is worth it to you. If you have teens it will be well worth it to let them loose and not worry about feeding them or being ¨fair¨.
• Magic Bands were free for years and allowed for the convenience of charging privileges, park tickets, dining and resort stay verification for early or late hours. Now you have to purchase one for those conveniences. Otherwise you rely on a phone app that will have limited battery life and or apple wallet for your ticket. It is just inconvenient after experiencing the perks of the band. Pro Tip: you can always use your previous bands on new trips.

As we look ahead to our next Disney Vacation we are reminded of the evolution of all of our Disney favorites. What do you love and what do you miss?

For more tips and fun, follow us @instagram disney.dillon or Facebook   and feel free to email for a quote dillontravels@gmail.com Remember we are paid by our vendors like Disney, Sandals, Virgin Voyages Palace, and Royal Caribbean (and many more) so our services are 100% free to you!