Westjet Black Friday Sales

I object to Black Friday sales starting on Monday night, but that's pretty hypocritical of me since that's exactly what I'm going to write about tonight.

You see, the horse has already left the gate and two travel operators and a  are already showcasing their sales.

Selloffvacations.com has sent out their Black Friday sales notice. It's basically Cuba, Mexico and Vegas being offered on sale.  Their sales pitch is 'five star vacations at three star prices.'

Westjet.com is suggesting they have 500,000 seats on sale and you could save up to $1000 on a vacation. I followed their link and found a sweet Florida deal in January.

If you travel January 12th to 19th with your family of 2 adults and 2 minor children you can go for $2100. That includes return tickets, taxes and hotel for 7 nights. However, the hotel included doesn't meet with my holiday standards. So, rather I would suggest a hotel like the Nikolodian Suites which would be about $2700 for the same package.

The Disney hotels are also on sale. In fact it's cheaper to stay at a Disney "moderate" that a "budget level" hotel this week.  So while it would be $3200 for your family, I feel you are getting excellent value. The Disney transportation system (which is free to use if you are staying at one of their hotels) is such a huge perk.  This package price does NOT include park passes, which are extra.

If you spy any other great travel deals, please share them in the comments. It's an exciting week if you are hoping to nab a travel bargain. 

Discount Disney! This January!

If you've ever wanted to take your little one to Walt Disney World in Florida, but have been intimidated by the price, or the crowds, this is your moment.

Now, this is as budget friendly as Disney gets... their value hotel, All Star Movies. But, a budget Disney hotel, is still a Disney hotel.  You get all the Disney magic you can handle in the parks, exactly the same as anyone else, staying at the Ritz or The Grand Floridian.

Shown here with one adult, and one child under 10.

Shown here with 2 adults.

Shown here in this Westjet package, you get direct flights from Winnipeg to Orlando, plus Disney transfers to the hotel, plus 7 nights accommodation, all taxes included. Plus you get full use of the free Disney shuttle/transportation onsite, between parks and downtown Disney.

Now, if you want to do their package, thinking it's a good deal, you can get 5 days basic park passes, and their free value (think cafeteria) dining for $2380. 

Now, if you think you can buy flights alone at the current 20% discount and then add hotel separately it will cost $1055. Getting 7 nights hotel, under $200 anywhere is nearly impossible, never mind the included value of Disney transportation. 

That's why this package is such a great deal! If you really need to keep the budget low, then I highly recommend cashing in your Air Miles to purchase your park tickets, and pack your own snacks. I've done it, and would do it again in a heartbeat. 

At this time of year, the Disney waterparks are both closed, so don't waste your money on  the deluxe park passes which include the waterparks. 

The last 2 times we were at Disney World we stayed at the Port Orleans (moderate) hotels. They were fabulous and I would recommend them. HOWEVER, on these dates, they add over $400 to the bill. For me, they are not worth an additional $400. That amount of money could pay for all our food and souvenirs for the week. 

Prices current as of 7:20pm December 30th. Other dates available, at other (higher) prices. 

If you have any Disney questions, don't hesitate to ask. We've done 2 cruises (Alaska & Caribbean), Disneyland, and Disney World.  All of it done on a budget, and thoroughly enjoyed!

Psssst... Christmas in California?

Celebrate an early Christmas with your little one, at Disneyland California! They work their Disney Magic in the park each November and turn it into a glorious Christmas celebration. Young and old alike will be enchanted by the characters' Christmas parade! Nothing gets you in the spirit, like an early Christmas at Disney.

And the real bonus..... the park is quiet. Oh, so quiet. Early Christmas avoids all the crowds, and your flight and hotel are half the price too!

Your shuttle from the airport to the Disney area hotels is separate, but very easy to book and will cost about $60. 

If you have Air Miles, you can pick up your park passes this way. It's one of my best tips. Disney park passes are a pricy treat, and never really discounted by much. Trading Air Miles for passes is an excellent use of miles in my opinion.

Disneyland California is perfect for a 3 day adventure. The park(s) are much smaller than in Florida, and are located together, so to me, it's one large park, even though they are "technically" divided into the main theme park plus "California Adventure."

Cheap California - Got a 4 year old?

It's like, Vegas cheap, but family friendly!! Take a look at these flight times even?  Fantastic!! This is the prefect quick vacation for a family with kids not yet in school.

The room alone is worth more than the whole package... so it's like getting a free flight. $525 per person, tax included.  Or, it's like getting a free 4 night hotel stay, with the cost of your Westjet flight.

And since school is just started up for the year, you would have the Disney Parks pretty much to yourself. The time to jump is now, this price won't last.  Book at www.westjetvacations.com

Disney Cruise: Part 10... Tips & Tricks

Just a few things I've picked up, that you might benefit from: (no particular order)

1. Pack light. There are 3 guest laundry rooms on board. It costs $2.00 to wash & dry a load. I would much rather do an hour of laundry once in 7 days, than pack twice as much. 
2. Wear bright colours. You're on a fun ship! You'll look better, and feel better in your photos. 
3. Bring Disney pins for trading. Pin-trading is an official activity. Buy them on eBay (20 for $25 usually) rather than $8 each on the ship. See... even if you get ugly random Disney pins off eBay, you are TRADING them for things you like. 
4. Drop off an 8x10 photo mat at Guest Services with a couple bags of candies (for the staff) and they will ensure the characters (you pick Fab 5 or Princesses) autograph it and return it to your room. It's the perfect match to the on-board family photo you're going to buy anyway and you just by-passed the lines. 
5. Buy your family cute Disney t-shirts before the trip. Get them on-line at the Disney store during a sale, or even at Wal-Mart and I bet no one asks you to buy them a $30 t-shirt on board. 
6. You can bring a bottle of wine, or bottles of water,  onto the ship in your carry-on luggage. No liquids in your crew handled bags. 
7. There are complimentary post cards for you in the desk, in your stateroom.
8. You can pre-order your room service breakfast. There are door-hanger order forms in your desk drawer. 
9. Plan to bring about $25 in "singles". You will need them for the crew that handles your luggage in port. (They are pretty forward about tips.) Plus, you will need them for your room service orders. 
10. Bring your pirate costume (but no fake weapons). People really get "into" pirate night. But, even if you think you're a hot mama - don't wear your bedroom "pirate wench" costume. Seriously!! It's a family ship. LOL
11. Best view of the fireworks on pirate night.... Deck 10, aft, port site. That's ship speak for the back of the top deck, on the left side of the ship.
12. All the game show answers..... all Disney based. Brush up on your character and movie names.
13. Staterooms mid-ship tend to be less affected by motion. 
14. There is a really good selection of tea at the self-serve beverage station. Oh yeah.... there's a self-serve 24 hour beverage station on Deck 9 (Wonder & Magic Ships).  Coffee/tea/soda/milk
15. Charms are a great collector item. At $5 each, a bargain too. 
16. If you need adult time with your spouse... it's called Exotic Rasul at the spa. $85 for a private couple's shower.  Simply plan to drop your kids off at the Kids' Club for an activity.
17. If you need time away from other people's children and their screeching, there is an adult-only dining room, coffee shop, lounge and pool. 
18. Decks 10 & 4 have walking tracks. 
19. There is a duty free shop. You can purchase liquor any time, but will only receive it upon disembarkation. (When you get off the ship.)
20. Your stateroom host (generally a man) will tidy your stateroom twice a day. He will also magically set up the kids' bunk beds each night, transforming the sitting area in your cabin into a kids' bedroom. 
21. Don't be surprised to see the same 5 movies on your TV all the time. It's Disney programming 24/7 not live TV.

For the real authorities on everything Disney.... see the obsessed, but really knowledgable and helpful people on the Disboards. It's a chat forum for everything Disney. 

That's not me BTW!

Disney Cruise: Part 8... Current Prices

**Current as of December 3, 2013**

Your best source for Disney Cruise deals will be their own web site.  Right now there are special prices for Canadians being offered on 3 & 4 day cruises during January and February 2014.

Air fares to Florida, (MCO - Airport in Orlando) are an additional cost.

I recommend booking through your local travel agent. Cruises require additional documentation and paperwork and I have found the process seamless through CAA Manitoba Travel. PLUS, there are usually booking bonuses like on board credit, photo packages etc.

Regular price on a 5 day cruise on the Wonder. 

Choose a 4 day cruise on the Magic for $1000 less with Cdn discount. 

Have the best of everything with a Land & Sea package! 

Disney Cruise: Part 5... The Entertainment

Variety is, as they say, the spice of life. And variety is certainly what you will find on a Disney cruise ship when it comes to entertainment.

Each night your stateroom will have a Navigator Bulletin which showcases the next day's offerings. There are club events for kids, restricted access events for adults and then general family activities.

Shuffleboard on deck 4 (Wonder)

Entertainment choices include:

• comedians
• magicians
• lounge singers/musicians
• gameshows "Disney-fied" like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune etc,  all with Disney theme
• karaoke
• family talent performances
• stage musicals
• whiskey/margarita/scotch tastings
• crafts
• bingo
• movies
• shuffleboard
• ... and more!

Activities run from 9AM to Midnight and are included in your cruise fee, with the exception of bingo which costs a minimum of $40 to play. 

There are also numerous activities you can sign up for during your port stops. They are called Port Adventures and are activities arranged on-shore that showcase the culture and landscape of your port. They range from beach days, to zip-line adventures, city tours and more. They will cost $25 - $200 and up, per person.

Good Hope Beach, Jamaica

Green Grotto Caves

We went on a cave tour in Jamaica. It was outstanding. Later, we had lunch on Good Hope Beach. 

In Grand Cayman we spent the day at the famous 7 Mile Beach area. 

Disney Cruise: Part 3... The Tastes

The food on a Disney Cruise is certainly above average. And, Disney knows just what your family likes!

There's a tried and true kids' menu with chicken fingers, mac 'n cheese, and mini burgers. And every night the kids' menu has a different Disney theme and colouring projects to keep them busy. Of course, meal service is so quick, they'll hardly have time to colour!

On board the Wonder, there are three sit-down dinner restaurants that you are assigned to. With your cabin assignment you are also given a dinner rotation and a seating time. You will have the same server and assistants every evening.

You will also dine with the same table mates. Our table of 8, was made up of a Texas Grandma and her two delightful grand daughters, plus a Polish couple and their sweet 7 year old girl. Add my son and me, that equals 8.

Our servers Lito and Marcel got to know us and our preferences pretty quickly and knew before the second dinner that Kamryn liked lots of ketchup with her chicken fingers and I liked a cappuccino after the meal, and with my 2 or 3 desserts!

The three restaurants on the Wonder are: Tritons - (most formal); Animator's Palate (most unique) and Parrot Cay (most Caribbean & casual). There are numerous theme menus, ranging from Pirate Night to Captain's Dinner. The Captain's Dinner serves lobster, and was my favourite.

Chilled salmon salad.

There is a wide variety of dishes to choose from every night. Your children may also order any item they wish off the adult menu, and my son often did. He LOVED the seafood pasta, and the traditional turkey dinner, and tried many of the fresh salads too.

Lemon tofu with couscous. 

I found some menu items very salty. Some, I found a little stingy, and others were simply perfect. With so many options, everyone will find something to suit their tastes. There are vegetarian options, and gluten free dishes on every menu. They take dietary needs seriously and were very accommodating of requests.

Meals are included with your cruise fare, as are non-alcoholic fountain beverages, milk and iced tea. Fancy kids' drinks (which they try to sell you every day and night) are extra, as is wine, and liquor.  Even specialty coffees, like cappuccino (non-alcoholic) are an additional charge.

There is one adult-only, fine dining restaurant on each ship. On the Wonder it is called Palo. It requires reservations and meal charges range from $35 & up. I didn't get a chance to experience Palo, as my "date" for the week was 8 years old!

There is one formal night, where guests are expected to wear their finest suits and dresses. There is also a semi-formal night in a 7 night cruise. On every Disney cruise there is a pirate night where you dress up as much or as little as you like in the theme.  Otherwise, "cruise casual" is the expected attire. Think.... golf course. Tank tops and shorts are not permitted at dinner.

There are also numerous casual places to grab a bite on the ships. Buffets, hot dogs and a late-night pizza station satisfy hunger quite capably. Of course, there is also room service 24 hours a day. That too is included in your fare, however, cash gratuities are expected for room service each time.

Self serve beverage station.

There is a 24 hour self-serve beverage station where you can get a soda, milk, coffee or tea any time you like.

Must try treats on the ship are Mickey Bars (ice cream bar on a stick shaped like a Mickey Mouse head), the banana bread in Parrot Cay, and the lobster.

Dining is one of the signatures of a cruise. I would encourage you to try new things and enjoy the variety.

Fresh tomato & cheese appetizer tart

Disney Cruise: Part 1... The Sights

Disney Wonder

There are four Disney Cruise ships. The original two ships were the "Magic" and the "Wonder". They are both very similar in size and passenger capacity. (10 Decks/ 2400 passengers) The Magic was recently in dry dock and underwent numerous renovations. She's shining like a pretty penny! Photo Gallery of the new "Magic"

The two newest ships are the "Dream" and the "Fantasy." They are similar in size and are about 40% larger than the Magic and Wonder. The new ships have 16 decks and can carry about 4000 passengers plus crew.

All four ships have Disney characters, Disney decor, and outstanding Disney service. The ships' stacks are some of the most recognizable at sea, with their bright red colour and Mickey Mouse Ears. The ships's whistle is the same chords used to start the old Disney Sunday night television movie. (I remember those family dinners with much fondness!) "When you wish upon a star"

I have been on the Wonder and found it to be the perfect size for this Canadian girl. Anything bigger would have overwhelmed me. Though, I must say, that the Disney scheduling of 2 dinner times/2 show times it never really felt crowded onboard. Genius, really!

At holiday times, the ships are decorated and have an extra layer of magic, in my opinion. The Christmas tree and decorations (in November 2013) were magnificent. Characters are in holiday clothes too. It sure makes for great family photos.

Whether it's the deck chairs or the ice cream sundaes you will find all those Disney touches that make your cruise extra magical.  There is something to see at every corner. Adults and kids alike wander the ship wide-eyed! I know I did!

Port of Galveston in the background.

Outdoor movies by the pool

 

What does a Disney Cruise look like?

Having cruised to both Alaska and the Caribbean with Disney Cruise Line, I can give you a pretty reasonable picture of what you will experience if you choose a Disney Cruise for your family.

I will plan to write a series on this topic, looking into each aspect of the cruise experience and offering as many relevant pictures as possible. I plan to write about:

• the sights
• the sounds 
• the tastes
• the characters
• the entertainment
• the ports
• the finances
• the current offers (pricing) 
• the value
• the tips & tricks 

Travelling with my kids is one of my greatest joys. Writing is how I maintain my sanity.

I hope you enjoy the series.

If you have any questions, please ask! 

These cruises were not sponsored by Disney or any other company, and I am not paid to blog. I simply hope to share the experience in order that I may offer insight to others who are considering similar vacations.  The opinions and photos are my own. 

Baby, Let's Cruise

If you're going to cruise with kids, who else would you choose, but Disney?

There's a bargain to be had out of the Galveston, Texas port later this fall. Now that Disney has 4 Ships (Magic, Wonder, Dream & Fantasy... in chronological order) they can move them around the globe and offer many different cruises.

One example is the Alaska Cruise that the Wonder does in the Summer. Later, the Wonder is the ship that will be repositioned to Texas, and later still, over to Miami for service in early 2014.

If you're looking for a bargain, you can check Disney's own site under the "specials" section. Currently they are offering discounts from Galveston or Miami on fall time cruises. There is consistently a Military discount as well. Sometimes there are offers for Canadians specifically, like when the Wonder cruises to Alaska from the Vancouver port.

I have done the Disney cruise to Alaska. It was in 2011, the first summer it was ever offered. Breathtaking scenery, but something I only ever need to do once.

Cruising, on the other hand, I could probably be convinced to go to the Caribbean.

And with some of the Disney deals, I might actually be convinced.

Check out these comparables:

If you look at the two November 16th cruises, there is a significant price difference. New ship vs old ship. Coastal Port vs Texas port. 

Then the 23rd cruise is from Port Canaveral, on a new ship and travels to Grand Cayman, 2 Mexico Ports and Disney's own Castaway Cay (Bahamas). 

Where's the bargain? As I see it, Galveston. For several reasons.... 1) Ports (Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel) the older ship has the identical famous service and characters and fewer passengers to share it with. 

There's much more to talk about here, but that will be our next chapter.