Cruising - Light Key

Cruise ships use a lot of fuel.  They not only have to power the ship to get from point A to point B, they also have to power everything else.  There is a lot going on on the ships from the huge galleys to keeping the lights on in the kids club and the pools heated.  One way the Disney Cruise line likes to help conserve energy is by utilizing a Light Switch Key.  

The way it works is you come in the room and you put your Key to the World Card in the little slot right inside the door.  With a card in the slot all the lights and TV will work.  If you take the card out while all the lights and TV are on it will turn them off a few seconds after the card is removed from the slot.  This prevents you from needlessly running all the lights and TV when not in the room thus saving energy and making the planet a better place.  

The drawback is when you walk out your stateroom door and forget your Key to the World card in the slot.  If that happens to you, your in a pickle.  It stinks to be locked out of your room and your card is also how you pay for everything on the ship.  

To prevent this problem there is a simple and fun solution.  Make your own key cards.

It is simple, get an old Disney gift card.  Place a magnet on the back at one end and your done.  The walls are all metal on the ship so any thing magnetic will stick.  You can keep your card just above the slot so it is always near by.  We allow each kid to pick out a card and they take turns putting theirs in and out as we come and go.  

I am not encouraging you to leave a card in the slot the whole trip.  We want to conserve energy too!  The goal here is to not forget your Key to the World card as you walk right past and out the door!

If your in the bathroom and your 7 year old runs over and pulls the card out then your in the dark. The use of fancier cards does not protect you from the dark.

Want to check out more about the Disney Cruise Line have a look at my Cruising page.

Cruising - Door Decorations

You're finally setting sail on the Disney Cruise Line after a year or so of planning.  The excitement has been building and you have looked at shore excursions options for countless hours.  You have memorized old Navigators you found online.   You know exactly what you want to order from Animators Palate.  After all that planning did you remember to make your Door Decoration?  

Door decorating is something that is truly Disney when it comes to cruising.  Why decorate your door?  It is fun and helpful.  The fun part is obvious but how is it helpful you might wonder.  It makes it easy to find your room.  Cruise ships have long hallways where all the doors look the same except one little number.  Decorating is way to make your room stand out and you get to express yourself!

door decorations on the Disney Fantasy

This is our room on the start of a 7 night voyage.

Here we are on Pirate Night.

And after Pirate night.   You can see some things moved around a changed a little.  Occasionally they fall off.  We let the kids pick out their decoration with their name on it.  Letting the kids help plan decorations can help include them in the planning process.

You can see how decorating can help find your room.  It beats trying to open the wrong door.  

Our very first cruise we had just one simple decoration.  

Decorations Doug made for his sisters room for a whole family cruise.  

When he is making it all and packing it I always think he has gone overboard, but you will see we keep it simple.

Here you can see a "fish extender"  the bags hanging from the sea horse by the door.  You can join an online group(Facebook or other Disney message boards) and do gift exchanges using the fish extenders.  It is a fun way to meet people and spread a little magic.  

Another example of decorations.

There is no right or wrong way to decorate.  I highly recommend it because it is fun and functional.  It is a great way to let people know where you are from or what you are celebrating.  It is a good conversation starter with your neighbors as well.  

For the Ears/hats that fit around the room number you can find them for free here.

Everything that you put on the door must be magnetic.  DO NOT USE TAPE!!!  You will get a nice sized fee added to your on board account.  

Doug often makes some for my clients as gifts.  He prints on card stock then laminates it.   You can find magnets at craft stores to stick on the back.  Some people will print directly on magnet paper but it is more expensive.  

Want to check out more post about cruising with Disney?  You can find all my posts HERE!

Trip Report 2013 - #11 - Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk,Osborn Lights

We are back on land and ready to start a long but fun day!

Breakfast started bright and early.  With Disney Cruise Line you eat breakfast in the dining hall that you had dinner in the night before.  We were back at the Royal Palace bright and early.  6:45 am to be exact.  This is a great chance to say good bye to your service team.  Once we were done eating we headed out to the lobby and waited for the all clear and then headed into customs.  In customs you find your bags based on the character on the tags you were given the night before.  We found our and were through customs in just a few minuets. With a short walk across the street to the parking garage.  We said good bye to Greg, John, Debbie, Mike, and Lila.  They were renting a car and exploring the coast before heading to the airport to fly home.  Doug's Parents were coming with us to the parks for another day of adventure.  We were in our van and gone by 7:45 am.  

We had to stop at Art of Animation to pickup the stroller before we headed into the park.  We were Soooooooooooooo close to making rope drop.  We parked at about 9:10 in the Hollywood Studios lot. Doug went ahead with the old "key to the world cards" to try to get a paper fast pass for Toy Story.  By the time he got there he got one for the last hour of the day.  With the wait at Toy Story already over 50 minuets we headed to rockin' roller coaster first.  Doug, Sandy, and Clair went to Little Mermaid.

The Rockin' Roller Coaster picture is one of the best in the parks in my opinion.  

They survived.

Now it was time to use our FastPass+ on Toy Story Mid Way Mania.  Doug had spent months building up this ride to his parents.  I think he started to worry he had hyped it too  much when we were in line.  

Clair and Sandy, I'm sure they both had a great score.

Doug rode alone.  That is how he likes it.  Sam and Alden take too many of his targets.  Clair is the only one he likes to ride with.  He of course was not happy with this score.

Alden and I were happy to head into the midway for some fun.  Samantha rode with Jim.  The review from Sandy and Jim was thought it was great.  They both loved it and would do it again if there wasn't an hour long line.  Jim claimed that it is a ride "not to be missed"

Then Half of us headed to Star Tours and the non motion people headed to Great Movie Ride.

We met back up at 50's Prime Time Diner for lunch.  We were starving and tired.  The adventures at sea and the early breakfast was catching up with us.  We checked in 45min early hoping they could get us seated early.  We were really not hopeful because it was the Sunday before Veteran's day the the park was nice and busy.  We were happy hanging out in the 1950's style living room and air conditioning.  

The food and atmosphere was great.  Doug's parents just let us pick where to eat.  I choose 50's because it is comfort food.  After all the fine dining on the cruise ship I knew we would be ready for just good old fashion cooking.   Doug got a pot pie, Jim got meat loaf, Sandy had some fried chicken.  It was exactly what we needed.  For more about the restaurant you can check out our full post here.

After eating we stopped in the Animation building to meet a few friends.

We were exhausted and ready for a nap so we headed to the front of the park and got a picture on the way.  It is nice to have the Photopass get a few shots of the whole group now and then.

We hopped in the van and dropped Jim and Sandy off at the Beach Club before heading around Crescent Lake to our room for the next two nights at the Boardwalk.

The room was nice.  The Boardwalk is a deluxe resort.  It would be extremely difficult to go from the Cruise ship to a Moderate or a value resort.

The couch folds into a bed and that is where Alden will be found.  

The decor didn't do much for the kids.  We have stayed at the Beach Club before so we wanted to stay some where different but the kids weren't all that impressed.

The kids also pointed out how the tiny bathroom in the cruise ship had twice the storage and counter space.

Once settled down we took a long nap.  SO long we kinda forgot about telling Doug's parents dinner plan.   Doug's Dad finally called and asked where and what we were doing.  

We then told them we would met them in Hollywood Studios by Sweet Spells.

After a boat ride over to the park we found Doug's parents waiting at our favorite candy shop.  We had FastPass+ to Fantasmic!  We got a couple snacks and some Glow With The Show Hats.  Alden picked the big Mickey cookie dipped in chocolate.

I went with the Sorcerer Mickey Candy Apple.  I felt it went with the show.  We got our snacks and made our way to the stadium.  The stadium for Fantasmic! is huge.  You need to get there a little early just because of the waking it takes to get back to it.  We were about 30 min early and got good seats.  We were off to the left.  For most of the show they show it in 3 spots.

This is a little zoomed in of Mickey during the show.   It was the kids first time seeing it and they give it mixed reviews.  Sam said "it's not Wishes" and she is right.  It is an odd mix of things going on in the show.  

After the show we headed to Toy Story.  It is totally nuts leaving Fantasmic!  I suggest having a meeting place.  Ours was the viewing window for Sweet Spells.  It is just far enough away to lessen the craziness but close enough that Samantha and Alden would make it if totally separated.  It is a lot like leaving a sporting event after a buzzer beater.  

Time to take in the Osborn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.   As usual they are awesome!

The kids spent some time singing and dancing with the lights. It is hard to make out the mass of people behind them but as you head to the center of the lights it is packed!  The park was about to  close.  Jim and Sandy headed back the the boat to head back to the beach club and we had one trick left up our sleeve.

After a little light viewing we hopped in line for Toy Story about 5 min before the park closed.  The sign said 60min for the wait but we new better.  We waited about 20 minuets is all.  They let you into line right up until park closing for most attractions.  

It is hard to see but Doug broke into the 200,000's this ride.  

Clair and I continue to improve.  

As we exited the ride the park was closed but we headed back to the lights.  They normally run the lights 1 hour after the park is closed.

We got a few more pictures as the crowd thinned out.

Line for this Photopass location was easily 20 to 30 minuets the first time we were here.  Now we just waited for one family.  

You can clearly see 30 minuets after park closing and you can wonder freely around.  Earlier you were shoulder to shoulder as you made your way around looking at lights.   This was a great way to end the night, looking at Christmas lights dancing to music with fake snow falling!

We headed back to the Boardwalk Inn with just a short walk.

Tomorrow we close out our trip with a challenge.  

Disney Speak - Magic Bands

Welcome to the modern Walt Disney World!  With the addition of loads of technology we now get a new fashion accessory.  A Magic Band!  

So, let's answer the what, why, how, and do for this high tech wristband. 

How do you get them?

This one is simple. When you book a room at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel you get one band per person on the reservation. If you book at two different resorts during your stay you will get two sets.  Getting a Magic Band is solely based off your room reservation.  You get to pick you colors in advance and they are shipped to your home a couple weeks before your trip. 

Not staying at a Disney resort?  You can still buy one once you get to the parks. 

What does the Magic Band do?  

Well during your stay at Walt Disney World it is your key to just about everything. So let's start from the beginning of the trip. 

The first thing your Magic Band will do for you is get you on the Magical Express!  It is your ticket to get from the airport to your resort. The important thing to remember is to pack the bands in your carry on so you have it when you arrive in Orlando. Or set a fashion trend and wear it on the plane. 

Your Magic Band also is your park ticket. No more paper tickets that you have to worry about losing. Now you wear your ticket on your wrist. Also gone are the traditional turnstiles. Now you find Mickey readers.  

These new style "turnstiles" are much quicker because they allow more people in and take up less space. You scan your Magic Band and then scan your finger. Just remember which finger you use the first time you use you ticket, because you will use the same finger the whole time.  

Thanks to the Magic Band it is easier to get the kids and the stroller through the gates. This has made Rope Drop much less stressful.  With tickets we always got nervous when handing them to the kids to get in.  Now with the band they wear it all the time and you do not have to fuss with getting tickets out. It makes it much simpler going through the gates. After over 30 park days of Magic Band use we  have never had one fall off(including a four year old).   If you do lose a Magic Band do not worry.  None of your information is stored on the band.  Go to guest services and they will deactivate the band and help you get a new one(you may have to purchase a new one)  The Magic Band is more of a key to access your My Disney Experience account.

Now that we are in the parks what does it do for us?  Lots, lets start with FastPass +.  You can book up to 3 FastPass + experiences a day for the number of park ticket days you have.  Once in the park you go to the FastPass+ entrances for the attraction you booked at the time you booked and get to skip the line.  If you stay at a Disney Resort you get to book your Fastpass+ 60 days in advance.  If you are staying elsewhere you only get 30 days in advance to plan you park visit. 

Here Alden is scanning his Magic Band at a touch point to enjoy the Tomorrowland Speedway.  It lights up green when you are good to go.  The best thing is it saves you from running back and forth across the park to collect a traditional paper FastPass. 

Samantha enjoying a drive while sporting her Magic Band.

In true Disney fashion the touch points are not just a boring black box.  This is the touch point to meet Ariel.  

Waiting to tap our bands for the Character Spot in Epcot.  Themed to match future world.

So you have used your 3 Fastpass+ experiences now what?  You go to an in park kiosk and can get another one.  This one is located by the international Gateway in Epcot.

Just outside of Buzz Lightyear.

Sometimes the cast members let you work the controls and find your fourth FastPass+. 

One of the best features is your band acts as your room key!  This is far and away the best thing the magic band does.  After a long day at the parks you do not need to look through your purse to find a key.  The kids often run to the door to open it.  It is easy to do when your hand are full.  This is the feature that we wish we could take home with us.  We would love to unlock our door at home with a wrist band.  

The Magic Band also links up to your Memory Maker!  When you have a picture taken by a PhotoPass photographers you just have them scan your Magic Band and you picture is linked to your account.  No more carrying around a special card to have them scan.  Your ride photos link up to your Magic Band as well.

One of the best parts of the Memory Maker is getting the ride photos.  The magic band makes it so convenient because you don't have to do anything at all.  Just go on the ride and wear your Magic Band.  

Thanks to the Magic Band we got this photo without doing any thing other then setting up our My Disney Experience on line.  Just make your all your reservations are properly linked before you go.

I think it may have been the Magic Band that took out these stormtroopers, not the force, but we know for sure it was the Magic Band that linked the photo to the account. 

Screen shot of MDE

As mentioned above most of the "magic" of the Magic Band results from you setting things up in advance on the line.  The My Disney Experience web site is where you go to link reservations, make dining reservations, and FastPass+ reservations.  This is a screen shot of the App.  It help you remember that you made a dining reservation 180 days ago and what time you get to ride Toy Story since you planed that 60 days ago.  

We like to also type it out before we go just in case we have a dead phone battery or the sort.  Also we set the screen shot as our lock screen so we have quick access to our days advents.  

Worried about how junior will keep from destroying his Magic Band?  Forget about it.  Disney knows your kids are bound to get into things.  So, they are water proof!

Clearly surviving the water.  This makes the trip to the pool so much easier.  No longer do you have to worry about your key sitting somewhere pool side.  You now wear it into the water with you.  Your water proof Magic Band is all you need for a trip to the pool.  You can even make pool side purchases with your band.

It is also chocolate shake proof.  Not only did this Magic Band survive the chocolate but it also payed for it.  You can choose to link your Magic Band to a credit card.  If you elect to pay for things with your Magic Band you must enter a pin number that you set when you check in.  If your band is lost or stolen they would need to know the pin to be able to use if.  

The Magic Band is also how you use your Disney Dining Plan credits.  It is stored on you account that the band links to.  So to use a dining credit you simply have the waiter scan your band.  You can then use the credit card on file to pay the tip.  You can truly go the entire day with out getting out your wallet.

The Magic Band is now the way to complete any princess.  

While the Magic Band does lots of great things it does not prevent headaches, but it does make the over all experience much smoother.  

Lets sum up what this little beauty can do:  Magical Express ticket, Theme Park Ticket, room key, credit card, Dining Plan, Memory Maker, Fastpass+, water proof, and fashion accessory.

That is an impressive list and one that I feel will grow over the years to help create even more magic.  

Meanwhile at sea:

Disney Cruise Line is now using Magic Band for their kids club.  They lock them on so their is no way to take them off.   

They link them up to your stateroom when you check in the first time.  The kids loved using Magic Bands in place of the old plastic strap things they had to wear before.