Young guests.  Old guests.  Guests with mobility challenges.  Guests with vision or hearing disabilities. Guests whose “native tongue” isn’t English.  Guests with special diets.  Disney Guest Services strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone. Here are a few of the many Disney guests services available:

♦ Special guide maps pointing out kid-stuff – where you can find the characters plus attractions, entertainment and interactive activities of special interest to young children – are available at Guest Relations in all the theme parks.

♦ Baby Care Centers in all four theme parks feature private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms, and feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs and plastic spoons.  There are even diapers, formula and teethers for sale.

♦ Stroller rentals are available.  Rather than lugging a stroller (including on and off of parking-lot trams), parents with young children can rent a stroller at the theme parks.  Tips for renters:

• A length-of-stay rental saves some money.
• Even for a one-day rental, keep your receipt; if you park-hop, drop off the stroller when you leave a park and use your receipt to obtain a stroller when you enter another park.  (The receipt also permits you to claim another stroller if yours “disappears.”)

♦ Theme park guidemaps are available in six languages – English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.  They are available at Guest Relations locations in each park, along with times guides for shows, character greetings, parades and fireworks.

♦ The Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four parks as well as Lobby Concierge locations at Walt Disney World resort hotels.  Types of disabilities covered include mobility disability, hearing disability, visual disability and non-apparent disability.

♦ Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney theme parks for the convenience of guests with disabilities.  A tip:

• A length-of-stay rental ticket is available which offers not only savings but also involves a one-time payment transaction after which the guest simply shows the receipt at the stroller rental location and is expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.

♦ Special dietary requests can typically be accommodated.  The Walt Disney World Food & Beverage team is committed to offering a wide range of choices to accommodate guests who require lifestyle dining options, as well as most specific requests from guests with food allergies or intolerances.  Some considerations to note:

• Whether dining at a table-service restaurant or at a quick-service restaurant, desired dining requests will be addressed.
• In many cases, advance notice is required – usually at the time of your reservation.
• Please call Disney’s Dining Reservation Center at 407/WDW-DINE to discuss arrangements.

♦ Professional photographers take keepsake shots of family vacations – with everyone in the picture.  Here are some of the details:

• Disney’s PhotoPass service photographers are stationed at prime photo spots throughout the theme parks.
• The guest’s Disney’s PhotoPass ID card (issued free) is used by the photo team to keep track of images.
• The images can be viewed online; guests can order prints, customized photo albums, T-shirts, mugs and more.
• Additional information is available online by visiting www.disneyphotopass.com.

♦ Merchandise purchases don’t have to be a burden.  There are alternatives to carrying the packages throughout the parks:

• Package pickup is available at no charge.  Merchandise is moved to package pickup, conveniently located near the front entrance of each park, for guests’ pickup when they are leaving the park.
• Hotel delivery is available at no charge to guests of Walt Disney World resorts.  Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest’s hotel by noon the following day.  Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase.
• Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.

♦ Lockers are available for rental.  They are first come, first served – and quite popular.  They are located near the entrance of each park.  There are a variety of sizes.  If you are park-hopping, you don’t have to pay the locker fee a second time on a day (just a key deposit) provided you keep your receipt.

Book your Disney & Orlando vacation with us and receive our world class "white glove" services, free gifts, guaranteed lowest prices, and all at no cost to you! Call 281-380-3437 or visit us online now! 

Authentic Irish food, music and dance performances set the scene for a three-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration and the “wearin’ of the green” March 15-17 in and around the Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island. Raglan Road features the very best of fresh, bistro-style Irish food, fine Irish beers and whiskies and live musical entertainment, all in an authentic and lively atmosphere.

For more information on this and other dining opportunities at Walt Disney World, contact White Glove Destinations at 281-380-3437 or visit us online now!

Dine like a celebrity in the Golden Age of Hollywood at The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This gourmet American cuisine restaurant is an authentic replica of the original Brown Derby that was a longstanding Hollywood landmark. The menu features world-famous Cobb salad, steaks, seafood, pasta specialties and fine international wines.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort.  

Contact White Glove Destinations at 281-390-3437 to learn more about this and other dining opportunities at Walt Disney World or visit us online now!

Who wouldn't want to win a $100 Disney Gift Card? We have joined with a group of Disney Bloggers and are offering just that! It's easy to enter...see instructions on how to enter and giveaway rules below!!

Instructions On How to Enter:
This giveaway is being run using the Rafflecopter form, which should appear below.  
Just click to enter below! 
If you are having trouble viewing the Rafflecopter form, here’s a checklist to help you out:

• Try refreshing your browser or viewing it from a different browser.
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• You may need to clear your cache.

Giveaway Rules:

• The Mandatory Entries must be completed. 
  
• Each entry must be entered exactly as it is stated.
• All entries will be verified upon selection of a winner to make sure that they are still in compliance with the terms of the giveaway.
  
• Open to residents of U.S. and Canada
• Must be at least 18 years old to enter
• $100 Disney Gift Card will be mailed to the winner
  
• Giveaway ends at midnight February 24, 2012

Thanks to Theme Park Mom and Disney Every Day for organizing this group giveaway!

You have several chances to see Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, featured on ABC programming.
 
LIVE! With Kelly is currently taping at Aulani. These episodes will air next week, Feb. 20-24 (check your local listings for details), and offer beautiful views of the Resort.

America’s Funniest Videos also recently filmed several episodes at Aulani.

AFV host Tom Bergeron took time during the shoot to slide down Tubestone Curl into Waikolohe Stream and joined the dancers of the “Starlit Hui.”
These episodes of America’s Funniest Videos will air on May 6 & 13 on ABC.

Be sure to watch these shows or set your DVR! You don't want to miss out on seeing this amazing Hawaiian Resort.

Contact White Glove Destinations at 281-380-3437 or visit us online now to learn more about Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa!

At Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, there are many opportunities to come face to face with nature and fascinating animals, that enrich our planet in these exciting attractions:

Affection Section:
Don't be shy! Enjoy this delightful animal encounter with goats, sheep, pigs, chicken, llamas and more. Watch for special guest appearances by some of the park's friendlier animals. This is a great way to help little ones begin to "open their eyes to the world around them."
Location: Rafiki's Planet Watch

Conservation Station®:
At trail's end, the discovery has just begun as you visit the center of Disney efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness. Inside, there is a whole herd of wild animal experiences, interactive games and fun-filled shows. See animals up close in this rare behind-the-scenes adventure!
Location: Rafiki's Planet Watch

Discovery Island® Trails:
Saunter through these sumptuous garden pathways for glimpses of hilarious animal antics and captivating critters. Have face-to-face encounters with Galapagos tortoises, lemurs, cotton-top tamarin monkeys and other fascinating creatures.
Location: Discovery Island®
This attraction interacts with Pal Mickey

Habitat Habit!:
See endangered cotton-top tamarin primates up close. Trek down this adventure trail and help your animal friends in ways that you never thought possible. It's fun to share your world and your own backyard with animals!
Location: Rafiki's Planet Watch

Maharajah Jungle Trek:
Trek into the lush forests for an unparalleled adventure into the wilds of the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia. Have up-close encounters with Komodo dragons and tapirs. Make eye contact with stalking tigers. Wander among the ruins of an ancient palace inhabited by beautiful and exotic animals!
Location: Asia
This attraction interacts with Pal Mickey

Pangani Forest Exploration Trail:
Trek into the forest in search of gorillas! Along the way, enjoy a nature walk through a verdant African valley filled with Nile hippos, birds and fish. Enter an exotic bird aviary, an underwater hippo viewing area, a savannah overlook, and have an intimate up-close encounter with a magnificent troop of gorillas.
Location: Africa
This attraction interacts with Pal Mickey

The Oasis Exhibits:
Unwind as you enter this tropical oasis of Eden-like flora and fauna rich with cooling waterfalls and meandering streams. This idyllic setting sets the stage for your day. From here all paths lead to adventure.
Location: Oasis

Enjoy these attractions and more at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park.

Contact White Glove Destinations at 281-380-3437 to find our more or book your complete Disney vacation package online now!

If “a penny saved is a penny earned,” then what of time?  Shouldn’t it follow that saving time is also merit-worthy? Certainly using time purposefully is important, given that a guest has invested both money and time in a vacation. What is “purposeful” varies from person to person, however. Some guests at Epcot once shared that they were so enamored with the gardens that they hadn’t done any attractions – but they weren’t complaining; rather, they were complimenting … and beaming.  Here are some ways to “make time,” save time, add time and use time during a Disney park visit…



♦ Disney’s FASTPASS System allows guests to avoid waiting at designated popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.  Here’s how it works:

• At the entrance to experiences offering FASTPASS, two times are posted – (1) approximate wait time using the normal queue and (2) return time for FASTPASS tickets currently being issued.
• If the wait in the normal queue is long, guests can choose to obtain a FASTPASS ticket (at no charge) with an assigned return time (an hour-long window) and then use the time until then to enjoy other experiences in the park.
• Upon returning to use their FASTPASS, the guest can experience the attraction with little or no waiting.

♦ A “rider swap” program lets both parents enjoy a ride – one parent waits with a child who is unable to ride an attraction while one parent rides.  Afterwards, the other parent can board the ride with minimal wait time.

♦ Tip Boards located at strategic “crossroads” in each theme park provide guests with a heads-up concerning attractions’ wait times.  Guests can save time – and “steps” – by consulting the boards throughout the day.

♦ Select mobile devices are capable of running downloadable apps that allow the user to obtain real-time wait information.

♦ Extra Magic Hours provide guests of select hotels at Walt Disney World Resort an opportunity for exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park.  The details:

• The exclusive time is one hour prior to scheduled park opening or up to three hours after park closing.
• The park varies from day to day.
• In all, there are up to 16 extra theme park hours available each week.
• The time is exclusively for guests of the Walt Disney World owned-and-operated hotels plus Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan, Shades of Green and the Hilton at Downtown Disney.
• Disney water parks sometimes open one hour early for guests of select Disney resort hotels.
• To take advantage of the additional time in the parks, guests must have a Magic Your Way ticket valid for the park(s) offering Extra Magic Hours – and, of course, their hotel ID.
• The Park Hopper option on Magic Your Way tickets allows guests to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in a park or parks different from where the guest spends the rest of the day.

♦ Guests arriving at park opening frequently head to a favorite attraction and enjoy it before it gets busy.

♦ Guests who decide to forego viewing a popular parade frequently discover it’s a time to experience a popular attraction with less wait.

♦ Festivals and special events are times when the theme parks feature extra entertainment and excitement – included with regular admission.  Several long-running events are the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (spring), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (fall), Star Wars Weekends (spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and elaborate decorations and seasonal entertainment at all four parks for the holidays.

♦ The “best time” to visit…depends.  The busier times to visit Walt Disney World parks are when school’s out for major holidays, the summer and three-day weekends.  The very busiest times typically are Christmas to New Year’s and around Easter.  Some considerations:

• Avoiding the busy times likely means shorter waits for attractions and shows and better access to dining reservations.
• Busy times can mean extended operating hours and sometimes special incremental entertainment.
• Disney planners attempt to schedule periodic attraction closures for refurbishment at times other than vacation peaks.

♦ Quick Service meals can cut down dining time – and sometimes cost. Add in “flexibility” because you can catch a gulp on the go without a reservation, and quick service can make consummate “good sense.”

♦ Table Service restaurant experiences can enhance the theme park experience. There are restaurants that are worth the extra planning effort of a reservation, the extra time at the table, and possible extra expense.  These eateries, replete with elaborate theming, extend the entertainment experience of the park to mealtime.  Dining and relaxing in an ambiance reflecting a different time or place is an entertainment experience worth the time sitting.  Sometimes these restaurants serve up entertainment acts along with meals.  And sometimes the meal may be part of a package that provides preferred seating at no extra cost for a signature entertainment performance (such as Candlelight Processional at Epcot or “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

♦ A longer stay can yield a vacation at a more comfortable pace.  Guest surveys show higher satisfaction ratings for longer stays – with “pace” typically cited as the reason.  After a week-long visit, guests have reported that they “didn’t feel rushed” and they “discovered a pool at the hotel.”

♦ For a short-duration visit, make a short list of “must-sees” and “must-dos” based on the vacationing group’s interests.  One of the worst mistakes a guest can make is over-scheduling.  Be realistic in planning.  Don’t attempt to see and do everything.  Vacation shouldn’t feel like a track meet!  And remember to take into account any relevant factors such as height restrictions or ambulatory concerns.

Wanna learn more about timesaving techniques at Disney? Contact White Glove Destinations at 281-380-3437 or visit us online now!

Instructions On How to Enter: 

This giveaway is being run using the Rafflecopter form, which should appear below.  
Just click to enter below! 
If you are having trouble viewing the Rafflecopter form, here’s a checklist to help you out:

• Try refreshing your browser or viewing it from a different browser.
• Make sure you have JavaScript enabled on your computer.
• You may need to clear your cache.

Beginning this spring, Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will undergo some wild changes, aimed at giving guests the opportunity to see more of their favorite animals, specifically zebras, during the 20-minute open-air ride. The audio-animatronics “Little Red” elephant and related set pieces will be removed as the theme park adds a new savannah space, including a watering hole for live animals. Kilimanjaro Safaris will remain operational through the enhancement, scheduled to be completed by fall 2012.

Contact White Glove Destinations at 281-380-3437 to learn more about this and other Disney World attractions or visit us online and book your complete Walt Disney World vacation package now!