Disney Planning: Choosing your Carry On Part 2

Hi Friends,

If you missed part 1, the link below will take you there, when you are all caught up, come back to part 2.
Link to part 1

In part 1 we talked about traveling without checked luggage. We gave you suggestions on suitcases and backpacks. In part 2 we are going to talk about overnight bags and purses.

Will you be checking in a bag and taking a carry on bag?

If you have decided you needed a carry on and a checked bag to make your trip that much easier, don't worry you are not alone, on each of our Disney trips, we each have packed a carry on and a checked bag.

Overnight Bag
Overnight bags are the broadest category of bags. They can be anything from a duffel bag to a messenger bag, pretty much everything between a suitcase and a purse. At the airport or even when you search online for carry on bags, there are so many options, I am going to show you the two that I have tried and really liked. The first up is the LUG Puddle Jumper, this one ranks number two on my list because if you keep the carry on under your seat, it has to go on it's side. The second bag is the LUG Hula Hoop, this is my favorite carry on bag, I used it on our last trip to Walt Disney World, and I will be using it on our trip back there in January. It fits every I need and it fits under the seat with room to spare. Both bags are pictured below, Puddle Jumper in red and Hula Hoop in black.

Photo credit of luglife.com

Photo credit of luglife.com

Purses
Sorry guys this category doesn't really apply to you. I like having a small purse to keep all my important papers and documents together. Purses are a very broad category, each women has her own preference. I'm not sharing a LUG bag again, first I am going to show you a new one that I have picked up. It's a Baggallini Everything Bagg (I'm thinking this is going to be a great park bag, but I will let you guys know after I get back from the trip). The second bag from Walmart, I'm using it as my second carry on item this trip (normally I only use one), it will fit my wallet, book, pillow, and still fit under the seat. Both bags are featured below:

Photo credit of baggallini.com

Photo credit of walmart.ca

I hope this helped you guys with your carry on choices, pretty much any bag you use will be great. If you have some great suggestions for other carry on bags, feel free to leave me a comment below.

See you later

-Alice

Disney Planning: Choosing your Carry On Part 1

Hi Friends,

When it comes to carry on's you have endless possibilities. There are four main types of bags, a suitcase, a backpack, an overnight bag, and a purse.You have to ask yourself a few key questions to figure out what is the right carry on for you:

Is your carry on the only bag you are taking?

If you are only taking carry on luggage, then you are going to want a bigger bag. Refer to your airlines carry on restrictions to know the size and how many bags you are able to take with you. Some airlines allow you to carry on more than one bag, but some might charge for them.

Photo credit of Skyroll.com

Suitcase
Suitcases give you the most amount of space. For the most part they are very basic, when you add your own organizational tools inside, like packing cubes or compression bags, you can really make it your own. To the right is a cool example of a suitcase with built in organization.
Backpack
Another great option is using a backpack. My husband likes the idea of being hands free. You can fit a lot in a backpack and the weight becomes more distributed. I absolutely adore LUG brand bags! There is so much organization in each one, in my blogs you will hear a lot about LUG bags. Below is the bag I bought for my husband, he hasn't used it yet, but I will give feedback on it when he does.

Photo credit of luglife.com

I hope you enjoyed part 1, look for part 2 where we talk about overnight bags and purses.

See you next time

-Alice

Disney Movie Club Pin

Hi everyone!

Recently I became a Disney Movie Club V.I.P. member, and this privilege has allowed me to collect pins from the Disney Movie Club, pins that you cannot get anywhere else. So I wanted to show you this Olaf pin I got from being a V.I.P.

Included with every pin is a certificate of authenticity!

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store September Pin Release

Here are the pins coming out for September at the Disney Studio Store in Hollywood!

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney World Planning: Arriving at your Reserved Time

Hi Friends,

When you finally arrive at your vacation and it's time for your sit down meals there is still a bit to know. You may have made a reservation but that does not mean they are saving a table for you. It means that your name is on the list and it's been holding your place in line. When the next available table opens up you will be seated. This can be as quick as 2 minutes but at busier restaurants or at busier times it can be an hour of waiting. Due to this fact, make sure you don't have anything big planned after your dinner reservations.

If you have decided to do a sit down character restaurant, there are a few things you will want to bring along with you.

• Costume (Young children only)
• Autograph Book
• Camera
• Your appetite!    

 I hope this helps you plan your day for going to your dining reservations, and make your trip to the world that much easier.

See you next time

-Alice

Disney World Planning: Making your ADR's

Hi Friends,

Now that you have picked the restaurants for your upcoming trip, you will want to book as close to the 180 day mark from your vacation date. Sometimes it's not possible to book at the 180 day mark, but the earliest you can book, the better. The practice of booking so far in advance is becoming more and more necessary with the popularity of the Disney dining plan.

Just a few days ago I had a friend tell me he couldn't get into the Be Our Guest restaurant on an upcoming trip because it was already full.  Now I'm not saying that this is the case always, I mean I've been in some restaurants that have been fairly empty but the popular restaurants do full up quickly.

You have 2 options for booking your ADR'S:

1. Book online, sign into your Disney world account and follow the steps under make a dining reservation. (Under the what to eat heading) You will get a conformation number, make sure you write it down.

2. Call Disney worlds dining reservation number and talk to a wonderful Disney cast member who can book them as you chat. You will get a conformation number, make sure you write it down.

My husband and I have booked both ways and they both have their pros and cons:
Online
Pro: You can book at your own pace
Pro: Access to the restaurants basic information and sometimes menu's
Con: You can have computer, internet, or website issues that may delay booking
Con: You don't have access to all of the available times

Phone
Pro: You can talk directly to a Disney Cast Members who have access to all available times
Pro: Disney Cast Members are able to trouble shoot any issues you have with restaurants
Pro: You tell the Cast Member what you want and they do their best to accommodate your needs
Con: You may have to wait on hold if the Disney Cast Members are busy
Con: It takes time and sometimes money (if you don't have a long distance plan) to call and go through several reservations

Hopefully this helps with making your dining reservations through Disney. I will be back next time to explain what to do with your reservation numbers once you get them. Have a magical night!

-Alyssa

Disney World Planning: Picking your Restaurants

Hi friends,

So you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, and today is the 180 day mark before your trip. That means, today you could start booking ADR'S or advance dining reservations.

It is a very exciting thing to be able to book your restaurants, but with 139 restaurants at Walt Disney World (74 of them are available for advanced dining reservations) it can seem like a tall task to know which ones are right for you and your family. It is important to find places that everyone can agree upon, so if you have picky eaters in the group, it might be best to keep it simple. I say do your research and pick restaurants that look interesting to you and your family. I mean if your family hates fish the Coral Reef might not be the best choice.

There were 3 websites that helped me in understanding what was offered in each restaurant and ultimately helped us pick our restaurants:
1. Of course I mention the Disney world official website: www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
2. www.wdwinfo.com
3. www.disneyfoodblog.com

On our last trip to Walt Disney World, we managed to eat at these restaurants:

• Via Naploi
• Coral Reef
• Chef Mickeys
• Be Our Guest
• Tony's Town Square
• Crystal Palace
• Planet Hollywood
• Rainforest Cafe
• Beaches N' Cream
• Tusker House 
• Cinderella's Royal Table

We tried quite a few new restaurants on our last trip. We made new favorites and ate at some we will probably never return to. Beaches N' Cream became our favorite dinner restaurant, as the ice cream was the best we had in all of Disney World.

There are so many restaurants in Disney World to try, so get out there and try a new one!

-Alice

I'm Back!

Hey everyone!

I apologize for not posting in awhile, I have taken a bit of a hiatus for the past month and a half. I have been working and volunteering, and yes, I have been daydreaming of being in Disney World. It has been a busy summer, complete with ups and downs.

My wife and I have decided this summer we wont be making it back to Disney World this January (insert sad face). But overall we try to just focus on the positive things, the city we live in is getting a Disney Store again, and we are excited to be able to get Disney things so close to home again. We were able to acquire some cool pins from the Disney Movie Rewards and Disney Movie Club.

But apart of the hiatus has allowed me to look deeper into the direction of this blog. Together my wife and myself have determined the best goal for both of our blogs is to join together. So my wife is becoming an author of The Pin Boys, and will bring in some great insight on traveling to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. We both are excited to show our passion and excitement of Disney. Stay tuned for great things to come!

  

Live, laugh and believe.

The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store July Pins

Here are the pins coming out for July at the Disney Studio Store. I would love to get the 3 on the bottom right.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Walt Disney Presents...

This is one of my favorite pins, it's from the Disney Store when they sold pins. It's #7 of the 100 Years of Dreams series.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Two Worlds: Tarzan & Jane

My wife is a big fan of Tarzan, so when we managed to come across this two worlds Tarzan & Jane pin, we had to get it. It is from a Disney Store Magical Moments series. It's to bad the Disney Store doesn't sell pins anymore.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Movie Rewards Pin

You heard that right, even the Disney Movie Rewards has pins you can get with your reward points. I can't believe I forgot to post this pin when I got it a month ago. It is a jumbo pin featuring Mickey Mouse, and is exclusive to only Disney Movie Rewards and has the movie rewards logo in the bottom left corner. It even comes with a stand.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Pin Feature: My 1st Visit

Today I am showing you the pin I got on my first visit to Walt Disney World, and is one of the pins that got me started on my collection. It is from 2012 and is the 1st visit pin they had for sale in the pin store at Downtown Disney.

 

I have some special exclusive pins in the mail from the Disney Movie Club, so stay tuned for those as I will post pictures of them when I get them.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store June 2014 Pin Release/Event

Here are the pins coming out for June at the Disney Studio Store in Hollywood. Information about the event can be found here: Disney Studio Store Facebook Page

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Revenge Of The 5th

Today is the revenge of the 5th, so I am featuring my get a taste of the darkside Disney pin. It has a stormtropper eating a Mickey shaped ice cream treat.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

May The 4th Be With You

May the 4th be with you, today I thought it would be fitting to feature the emblem of the Republic Disney Pin. This pin came in a set 7 different Star Wars emblems.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store May Pins

Here are the pins coming out in May at the Disney Studio Store!

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Cruise Line Exclusive Pins

The 2 new pins are a Disney Cruise Line Exclusive. The first one is a Captain Hook pin, with the tag line "Smooth and Seaworthy, you'll be hooked on the quality". The second pin features Grumpy, with the sayings "Salty and Bitter" and "Strong and Stout". These pins have been available since April.17th on Disney Cruise Lines.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Pin

Since the Seven Dwarfs Mine train will be opening in 2014, Walt Disney World has released a pin to celebrate. It features Dopey and Grumpy riding one of the mine trains. It can be purchased here.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Captain America Disney Pin Out Today!

Today a Captain America Disney Pin is being released in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, for the upcoming theatrical release of Captain America:The Winter Soldier. I wish I could get my hands on this limited edition pin.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store April Pin Release

Here are the pins coming out for April at the Disney Studio Store in Hollywood.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

March Flower & Garden Pin Release

Here are a set of 5 pins that have been released for the Flower & Garden festival at Walt Disney World.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Pin From China

I managed to get this Pirates of The Caribbean Disney Pin, which is actually a Disney Pin from one of the China Parks. I thought it was cool and had to get it.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Found this $15 Pin Trading

In my trading at Walt Disney World, I managed to find this pin, which is a $15 retail priced pin at Disney World. And yes it is real!

It opens up and has some classic pictures of Mickey Mouse and a great picture of Walt and Mickey in the middle.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store March Pin Release

Here is the March pin releases for the Disney Studio Store.

 Happy trading

-The Pin Boys

Trade With Scoop!

My wife also got to do a trade with Scoop Sanderson, this is the pin she got.

It is a beautiful pin from the opening of New Fantasyland in 2012.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Pin Trading Is Everywhere!

On my recent trip to Walt Disney World, I wrote down some of the lesser known places to pin trade. One of the most common ones, but easily forgotten is that all 4 parks have a pin trading book at guest relations. Along with guest relations at all of the parks, you can go to the stroller and wheel chair rental area and each park has a pin trading stroller.

Here is the breakdown of some of the lesser known places:

Hotels

Pop Century - At the Pop Century resort, in the Everything Pop store at the main counter, there is a pin board that is open at certain times in the day.

Coronado Springs - At Coronado Springs resort, in the Panchitos Gifts store, at the main counter in the center they occasionally have a pin trading rubik's cube.

In the back of Panchitos Gifts, there is a wall of pins for sale, at the counter next to that, they have a pin trading Pinata.

Contemporary Resort - At the Contemporary Resort, when you enter or leave Chef Mickey's, there is a pin trading board at the host stand.

In the Fantasia store, at the counter they have a pin trading board in a drawer.

Parks

Magic Kingdom - At the host stand in Tony's Town Square, there is a pin book to trade with.

In Frontierland, at the Frontierland Trading Post, there is a pin board available anytime to trade with.

At Big Top Souvenirs, in New Fantasyland, they have fake popcorn with pins on them you can trade with.

Epcot - At the host stand in Coral Reef, there is a pin board to trade with.

In Norway, at the Puffins Roost there is a pin board to trade with.

At the Traders store, in what would have been the Africa section of The World's Showcase, there is a pin book to trade with.

Hollywood Studios - In the store at Rockin' Roller Coaster, where you can purchase a photo of yourself on the ride, they have a drum with pins you can trade with.

At the entrance of Muppet Vision 3D, if you ask the person working, they have a pin board they can bring out for you.

Animal Kingdom - The gift store outside of the park, right beside Rainforrest Cafe, they have a pin trading board and a pin trading vest.

The first cart on your left, just past the Oasis at Animal Kingdom, on the other side of the bridge, they have a pin book you can trade with.

These are just some of the places I found on my trip, I'm sure there is lot's more. If you know of a place I did not mention, feel free to leave a comment below. Remember also, Disney likes to change things, so some of these places might change.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

Disney Studio Store February Pin Release

Here is the pins being released in February at the Disney Studio Store.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

4 Parks 1 Day!

My wife and I equally love Disney World and one thing we always wanted to accomplish is doing all 4 parks in 1 day. This trip we finally planned to accomplish this goal. We started in Animal Kingdom and rode Expedition Everest. We then made our way to Hollywood Studios and rode Rockin' Roller Coaster, we had a 80 minute wait for that one. Then after Hollywood Studios, we walked over to Epcot and rode Test Track. It was another long wait, but it was totally worth it. The speed of Test Track is amazing and when you whip around the corner at 65 mph, there is no better feeling.

Once through Test Track, we hoped on the monorail and headed for our finishing point in the Magic Kingdom. Once in Magic Kingdom, we made our way to Space Mountain. What better way to finish the day with one of the most iconic rides at Disney! It was a tiring day, but a very exciting one. We made sure to get our picture taken at every park that day.

I guess the next goal to set our sights on is all 6 parks in 1 day, well that wont happen for awhile. Also, yes, there was plenty of successful pin trades that day!

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys

I got the Scoop!

It's my last day of my Walt Disney World vacation, and I was finally able to meet Scoop Sanderson. I was lucky enough to trade with Scoop and I was even more fortunate to receive his special pin trading pin.

He personalized it directly to me with his autograph. It was a fantastic pin trading trip and more pictures will come, but I am in dreamland now with receiving that pin.

Happy trading

-the Pin Boys

At Disney World

I got to Walt Disney World at 9:30 last night and already traded for 5 new pins.

Cute Mickey Mouse Pin

Today I am showing you this cute Mickey Mouse pin. I love collecting all sorts of different styles of Mickey's. My wife is also a huge fan of Mickey and I knew this would be a pin she would love as well.

 

Keep checking back, as I will be in Disney World in about a week, and I will be posting from the parks. I will post photos of pins that got via trade and some fun photos and maybe even some videos.

Happy Trading

-The Pin Boys