DisneyBounding: What Is It And How Can I Do It?

Whether you've never been to the parks, or you're annual pass holders, you may not be aware of a trend within the inner circle of Disney fanatics. It's called DisneyBounding. It's very simple - take the "essence" of your favorite character and using pieces of your own wardrobe (to that of a friend) you simply recreate that essence.

Example: Snow White, as you would find her in the Magic Kingdom

Her basic attire essence is a yellow skirt, yellow bow shoes, a blue top, and red cape. 

The DisneyBounding version?

Yellow bottoms, blue top, red accent piece, yellow shoes, and accessorizing (only if you choose to!) with an adorable apple necklace and blue bracelet. All easy pieces that you may already have in your closet!  Got it?

Okay, this time, no hints... Who do you know that wears a white and blue dress, LOVES to read, and has a big blue bow in her hair?

Time's up! It's Belle! Now how easy would this be - a simple white shirt, blue skirt, book necklace, black shoes, and big blue blow? Super, super easy.

My favorite thing about DisneyBounding? It's not just for kids! Anyone, any age, and size, any anything can DisneyBound! So go ahead, think of your favorite character, and imagine what you have in your own closet that you can throw together and start your own DisneyBounding adventure!  Pocahontas? Ariel? Elsa? Marie? Whatever you choose, you will be amazing!

See ya real soon!


ºoº ~ Karen

What Is A Fish Extender?

So maybe you've heard of a fish extender. I know what you're thinking. What's a fish and why am I extending it?

Disney Magic 3-Night Bahamian Cruise: Captain's Log Day 2

It's a beautiful morning in the middle of the ocean. We're on Day 2 of our 3-Night Bahamian (kid-free!) cruise. I am the early riser of the family, so I got up to check out the view.  At this point, it's about 5:30 in the morning and we aren't near a dock. I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking today. They can say a lot more than I can!

Magic Band Testing Dates for MyMagic+

For my clients who are traveling this fall, here are some dates to help you know if your resort will be included in My Magic Band testing:

October 7 to October 31 2013

Disney Magic 3-Night Bahamian Cruise: Captain's Log, Day 1

It dawned on me that so many of our friends have never sailed on a Disney cruise. In fact here's a confession for you: GARY (as in, Wish Upon A Star With Karen and GARY) has never sailed before. Chalk it up to a fear of leaving solid ground, he has never sailed with me on any of my cruises. Until now. And now? He's hooked!

We thought we'd share our most recent 3-Night cruise with you, so you could see for yourself just how much you can have on a Disney cruise.

What's New Wednesday: 2015 is released in 2 weeks, Frozen Summer, and Caribbean Beach's New Queen Beds!

We interrupt this summer break to tell you What's New Wednesday! (Don't worry, I'll keep it short and sweet so you can get back to the pool!)

First and foremost, I have a TON of you that are asking for 2015 dates for your reservation! I am so happy to announce that they will release on the 30th! Between now and then, let's connect and begin planning your trip so that ON the 30th, I'll already have your reservation put on a no-obligation 7-day hold.

What's New Wednesday: Sounds Of Summer Concert Series Begins, A New Dole Whip?, A New Home For Tinkerbell, Festival of the Lion King Returns, AND A Brand New Sweepstakes, Be The 8th Miner!

What's New This Wednesday? 

In EPCOT, the Sounds of Summer Concert Series continues for another year! This year, check out:

Theme Park Thursday: EPCOT

It's Theme Park Thursday, where we spotlight something about one of our favorite parks. I recently had a mom ask me "I've got a 10 year old boy. Is he going to find EPCOT boring?" Well absolutely not! Here are some things that you may not know about this park:

She Says: 

Free Dining Is Back For Fall 2014 At Walt Disney World

Well, rumors have been swirling for months but it's finally official that Free Dining has returned for Fall 2014 at Walt Disney World.  I know your next question will be, "What are the dates?" Well here are the official details:

Disney Visa holders can book starting on May 2, and the general public can book effective on May 7.

SIDENOTE #1: If you're already booked with us, you do not have to REBOOK. We at Wish Upon A Star With Karen & Gary will adjust your price for you, no questions asked.

If you know you WANT to book, you also do not have to wait until that date. You may book now, and we'll automatically adjust it on the 7th.

More details:
The offer will be for guests traveling between:
August 31 – October 3
October 26 – November 1
November 9 – November 20
December 12 – December 23

SIDE NOTE #2: Your travel dates do not ALL have to fall within the free dining dates. If you check in on October 3rd, for instance, you will have free dining applied for the duration of your stay (as long as you stay in a qualifying resort as shown below).

The promotion includes quick service (1 snack and two quick service meals per person per NIGHT of your stay) for value resorts and the plus dining plan (1 snack, one quick service, and 1 table service meal per person per NIGHT of your stay) for moderate and deluxe resorts. You may upgrade to any higher level of dining plan and you simply pay the difference!

Disney Value Resorts ~ Quick Service Dining Plan Included

All-Star Music Resort
All-Star Sports Resort
Pop Century Resort
Art of Animation Family Suites (Little Mermaid Rooms excluded)

Moderate Resorts ~ Plus Dining Plan Included
Carribean Beach Resort
Coronado Springs Resort

Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts ~ Plus Dining Plan Included
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
BoardWalk Inn
Contemporary Resort
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Polynesian Resort
Wilderness Lodge
Bay Lake Tower
Animal Kingdom Villas
Beach Club Villas
BoardWalk Villas
Old Key West Resort
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disneys Wilderness Lodge
Fort Wilderness Cabins

Some resorts are excluded, such as All-Star Movies, Art of Animation (Little Mermaid Rooms are excluded but the suites are included), Port Orleans Resort (Riverside AND French Quarter), Campsites at Ft. Wilderness, and 3-bedroom villas, and Villas at The Grand Floridian. A 3 night minimum stay (14 night maximum) and two day minimum park ticket is required for each person in the party.

We're excited to see Free Dining return, and we know you are too!  Until then,

See ya real soon!

°○° ~ Karen

What's New Wednesday: Doc McStuffins, Hopping Added to FastPass+, a Brand New Dedication for the Seven Dwarfs, and Hollywood Studios' Birthday!

What's new this Wednesday?

First, Doc McStuffins, that lovable little girl who fixes boo boos and ouchies from all her favorite animals in her playhouse clinic will be making meeting and greeting her favorite little fans in Disney California Adventure Park, beginning May 5th! Her appearances are expected to last through the end of July, but we're hoping it's much longer!

Second, Disney has heard your requests to accommodate park hopping in the FastPass selections.

What's New Wednesday Part 1: Star Wars Dining During Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios

For all my Star Wars Fans out there, Disney is doing something brand new this year - Star Wars-themed Character meals for a limited time! 

(Pick yourselves up off the floor so you can keep reading!) 

Booking begins TODAY for Star Wars Character Meals. The meals will start effective May 4th, and features dining at TWO restaurants!

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre for breakfast, which features your favorite TRADITIONAL Star Wars characters, like the Stormtroopers, Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett, and Darth Vader. 

Breakfast reservations will be from 8am until noon, at $47.99 for adults and $29.99 for children. You will have one digital download credited to your Photopass card (or Magic Band). 

Then, over at Hollywood and Vine, catch dinner with your favorite Disney pal, like Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Vader Goofy, and even Stormtrooper Donald! 

Dinner begins at 4:15pm and lasts until park closing and is $55.99 adults and $33.99 for padawans (i.e. kids) 3-9. For under $5 per person additional, you can add on the Fantasmic Dinner Package with reserved seating as well, and meals will included one digital download of a photograph with Chip and Dale (one per party)!

 I would not recommend walk-ins for these meals. In fact, if you are not our client but want reservations, I would make them ASAP and use The Force to call (407) 939-5277 to secure your reservation. Note: as of this time, characters are NOT limited to Star Wars weekends, which is great news!

°○° ~ Karen

What's New Wednesday: FastPasses, Horses, and Dragons, Oh My!

As usual, we have lots of news coming your way on this What's New Wednesday.

At Disney World:

First, there are now officially NO "Legacy" FastPasses in the Disney World parks! For my travelers who were able to "double dip" during the initial testing phase - yay for you! FastPass+ has now been expanded to all four parks and the paper (Legacy FASTPASS)

2014 Resolution: Plan a Vacation to Disney World!

People have all sorts of resolutions. Lose weight. Be organized. Play nice. Eat in more, eat out less. You get the idea. Here's one of my favorites: Have some time to sit back, relax, and chill out with those you love.

Otherwise known as a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth!

This is one of my favorite family photos of ours.

Not every resolution comes with people who can help you make it happen, but that last one sure does! And guess who wants to help you? Disney!

Introducing:

2014 FAMILY TIME RESOLUTIONS

Navigating the Parks For Newbies, Part 1, Getting Into the Parks

There are lots of things you should know on your first trip to Disney World! First of all, there are FOUR parks in Disney World. People who have never been before sometimes think the picture of the castle IS Disney World but it's just one park.

This info applies to all four parks!

Arrival: