Daddy Thursday

Hello Daddies and Mammas!  It's Trips to the Mouse Daddy here and I am excited to have the opportunity to share my Disney knowledge and experiences with all of the Mammas and Daddies that follow us.  Each Thursday I will provide Daddy’s take on our theme of the week.  Here is a little more about me and how I discovered Disney.

When I was eight years old my best friend went on his first trip to Disneyland.  The descriptions and stories he told about a roller coaster inside a mountain and a haunted house with real looking ghosts that float around was hard to imagine. I knew then I had to see this place.  

The following spring break my grandmother surprised me with a trip to Walt Disney World. When I walked onto Main Street USA I knew this was a special place like no other. My grandmother and I visited Disney World annually for many years. These trips hold memories I will always cherish and I love sharing them with my kids now.

Disney has always been my favorite vacation destination.  From the eyes of a child, a teenager, college student, young adult and dad, I have experienced every type of Disney Vacation. A Disney vacation is something everyone should get to experience, hopefully more than once. I love helping create that magical trip for others because I know how it feels.

Disney's Beach Club Villas and Disney's Polynesian are my favorite Walt Disney World resorts. The Grand Californian Resort & Spa is my favorite Disneyland resort.  Magic Kingdom is my favorite park but I love the dining options and enjoying an adult beverage while strolling through the World Showcase at Epcot.  Soarin is my must do ride.  I make my family go to the Biergarten just about every trip. I must have a churro and a Mickey bar or the trip isn't complete. I have trouble going a slow pace in the parks but having kids has helped me slow down a bit. I get as excited as I did on my first trip with each visit. Donald Duck will always be number one on my list of Disney friends. My wife and children make me wear the Daddy shirts but I secretly like it. Now you know all about my #DisneySide.

Next week we will return with more Disney topics: Magic Bands and Fast Pass +! If you have any questions about these you want to see us answer just send an email and we will be sure to include them in the posts next week. 

Mama Monday : Top 5 Reasons to Work with a Disney Travel Agent

Hi Mamas, I know you are on the edge of your seats wondering who the newest blogger will be here at Trips to the Mouse. Today I would like to welcome Spencer Ulrich. Yes you aren't mistaken, we have the same last name. He is my Disney Darling Husband. He has been helping me behind the scenes for some time and some of you have had the pleasure to get to know him during the planning of your vacations.

I will let you in on a secret-he was a Disney fan way before I had even had my first visit. He was a lucky kiddo who took many trips as a child with his grandmother. I will let him give you a more thorough introduction on Thursday which will be known as Daddy Thursday from here on out. Much like the past year, there will be a theme to each week and you can look forward to hearing a different perspective from each of us. We may be married but we definitely have different favorites and opinions when it comes to our #DisneySide! We hope you will join us each Monday and Thursday for a closer look into all things Disney. If you have an idea or something you want to see us cover just email us any time!

Now that the special announcement has been made let's get on with the post.

Here are my top five reasons you should use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner:

1) We save you time. Your time is valuable and you are no doubt short on time. Sound familiar? The most successful people know how to delegate some of their to do list and your vacation can certainly fall into that category. I save you countless hours planning and researching. You can be as involved or as hands-off as you choose with me on your team. Consider your to do list transferred over to me and all will be taken care of!

2) Hands-on Experience- Disney changes often. It's a fact, Disney is one of the most innovative companies around and with that innovation comes fast moving changes. What you experienced two years ago or even last year isn't the same this year. The travel tips you researched then are most likely outdated. It is my responsibility to stay up on these changes. We have in-depth trainings and personal experience with each change that is rolled out. This is especially timely with all the changes surrounding the Magic Bands this year.

3) Money savings! I have saved my clients hundred of dollars on their vacations. Some even over a thousand. There's no tricks involved here and this isn't too good to be true. The moment a Disney discount is released I rebook your vacation and send you an email with how much I have saved you. Most of the time my clients don't even realize a discount is coming out. It's my job to make sure that happens, not theirs.

4) My Services are FREE-Yes, free. If you book or transfer your Disney vacation to me, you do not pay for any of my services. I help you choose the best resort, options, etc for your family. I book all of your dining and other activities. And the best part? You will pay the same price whether you book directly with Disney or with me. It pays to book with me for all the extra services.

5) I work for you! I am your travel agent. My primary goal is to make sure you have the most magical vacation possible. I customize each vacation to meet your needs and desires. You have my personal cell phone and email address and you can reach me directly. You don't have to worry about a call center or how many questions you have. I am here to help you through it all. We deliver the most incredible guest service possible and your happiness is how we measure our success.

Stay tuned to Thursday's post where you will meet Spencer personally. In the mean time, please share with me what you would like to see covered in a blog post soon. I would love to hear your feedback! Next week we will be going in depth with the Magic Bands and Fast Pass Plus to help you understand how to get the most out of your vacation with these new and exciting features!

Walt Disney World Spring Discount Is Now Available

Travel Dates: February 24 - June 15, 2014 The Walt Disney World® Resort has released special room only discounts for early 2014 travel dates. Please note this is the exact same discount that was released to Disney VISA card holders late last week. It is now available to everyone, there is no longer a Disney VISA card requirement. You must check in during the travel dates listed above in order to receive the discount, however, you can extend your stay past June 15, 2014. Only the nights included in the travel dates listed above will be discounted. You cannot check in before February 24, 2014 and receive a discount. Availability is limited, and not all resorts and room types are available. Some nights may not be discounted, and weekend prices may be slightly higher. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Included Walt Disney World Resorts: Walt Disney World Value Resorts Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort - Save 20% Disney’s Art of Animation Resort - Family Suites only - Save 15% Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort - Save up to 5% Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort - Save 25% Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter - Save up to 5% Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Polynesian Resort,  Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort (standard view and woods view rooms), Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard and pool view rooms) and Disney’s Polynesian Resort  - Save 30% Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (savanna view and club level rooms), Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort (courtyard view and club level rooms)  - Save 20% Walt Disney World Deluxe Villa Resorts Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Villas - Save 30% Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Beach Club Resort Villas - Save 20% Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort - Save up to 5% If the resort you are interested in is not listed above, it still may be included in the discount for some dates, or at a lesser discount. Nights between March 6 - 13, and April 13 - 19, 2014 may not be included in the discount, or may be discounted at a lesser rate. You can also book a Magic Your Way package that includes these special nightly rates plus theme park passes and a Disney Dining plan, which will not be discounted. You can add park passes to book a package, and if you add park passes, you will receive one day free, as long as you add a 5 day or longer park pass. So you pay for a four day pass and receive a 5 day pass for everyone in your package. The free day is available on passes from 5 - 10 days in length. This discount will be available to book until March 31, 2014. Email me or use the Get A Quote option for your vacation savings today. As always, if you are already booked with me, don't worry! You will receive an email later today alerting you to any changes and savings made to your reservation.