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The Mature Mouse™ returns to Walt Disney World
Magical News: The Mature Mouse™ returns to Walt Disney World this April. This will be another solo trip that will feature my first experience at the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival. I have heard that this springtime event has incredible Disney themed flower and garden displays, along with live concerts and unique food offerings. Although the displays contain Disney characters, it appears to be geared toward the older Disney guests.
As much as I would enjoy sharing my trips to WDW with family and friends, that cannot happen as often as I wish to visit. A solo trip offers an inexpensive way for me to return to WDW more often. There are numerous articles about the pros and cons of taking a solo trip to Walt Disney World on the net, like this one by Zach Basler on the WDW Prep School website. I do not want to focus my blog on the reasons why you might want to consider a solo trip.
I will share my steps in planning for this solo trip over the next few months. Hopefully, my steps in preparing for my visit will help you prepare for your next trip, regardless of what type of Disney vacation you will be taking. Of course, I will be posting reports while at WDW, and I will be gathering information, photos, and videos to share after my visit. Although I cannot promise, I might try Periscope while in the parks.
Normally, one would begin their planning by deciding when to visit Walt Disney World. However, as a high school teacher, my choices are confined to school vacations. I have now traveled to WDW twice in June. As I have researched WDW for this blog, I have considered a visit in April to enjoy the cooler weather, the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival, and, hopefully, “lower” crowd levels. April vacation can be a very hectic week at WDW, especially if it falls in the calendar around Easter. This year, Easter is early, so the crowd levels during the third week of April are lower, normal (if there is such a thing at WDW). An additional incentive for traveling to WDW this April is that Disney is offering a spring discount.
Not having to decide when to visit, my first step in planning for this trip to WDW began with setting a budget. This decision would guide the decisions for my length of stay, type of a resort, possible meal plan, and flight options. My goal was to put a package together that would fit my budget of $1500. Yes, it is possible to make a trip to WDW for so little. A low vacation cost is a major perk to a solo trip. Of course, to assist me in this endeavor, I made a call to my travel agent, Jennie Nowers. Given her knowledge and experience with Walt Disney World, Jennie knows the best way to create a vacation package to meet each guest’s unique requirements.
My original goal was a 5-night/6-day trip, but this was not possible with my budget. To keep costs low, I realized that I would need to stay at a value resort, but which one was the question. So, after some research and many email discussions with Jennie, I settled on a 4-night/5-day trip, and booked my stay at Disney’s All Star Music Resort. I considered returning to Pop Century, but it cost almost $10 more a night than the All Star resorts. When dealing with a tight budget, it all adds up. I was in a position to include the quick-service meal plan, which worked well for me during my last solo trip. I also included park-hopper tickets to afford me flexibility in developing touring plans. So the final package, before adding the cost of round trip flights, was just under $1000.
Fortunately, after a lot of online research, I was able to purchase round trip airfare for just under $600. Here is a tip: Google Flights. All things considered, even though I broke my budget of $1500, it is still a very inexpensive trip. Searching for, and booking flights first can be helpful. Being able to adjust your trip dates affords you the opportunity to find the best price on flights. However, as in my case, I have a fixed window of travel days.
In my next post, I will discuss my next steps in the planning process. This involves consulting Touring Plans, and other crowd calendars, to determine which park to visit on each day of my stay at WDW. There will be a lot of time planned for Epcot and World Showcase to experience the Flower and Garden Festival. And, of course, I will plan as much time as possible in Magic Kingdom, just because. I will find time to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, before the park, as we know it, completely disappears. However, I am considering not taking the time to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Please use this link to visit The Mature Mouse™ store for logo merchandise. Many of the items would make great gifts for the Disney fan in your life.
And, make sure you consult Jennie Nowers about your next Disney vacation. Tell her that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift from Jennie with your next booking.
The Mature Mouse™ Anniversary Giveaway
The Mature Mouse™ marks its first anniversary on November 30th. I began this blog with one purpose, to provide a voice for older, more mature Disney fans. I would like you to enjoy the Disney Magic I experience in at Walt Disney World, and hopefully, someday, Disneyland.
Your response to this blog, dear readers, has been overwhelming; The Mature Mouse™ now has over 560 followers. To express my appreciation, The Mature Mouse™ is offering an anniversary giveaway.
The prize is this authentic Mickey Mouse sweatshirt, purchased this past June during my solo trip at Walt Disney World . It has not previously been worn. The original store tag is still attached.
Instructions to enter The Mature Mouse™ Anniversary Giveaway:
- Answer the 5 simple questions listed below. Each question contains a link to one of my blogs where you will find the correct answer.
- Email me your answers, along with your name and mailing address, to tmm1giveaway@gmail.com by December 5. To make this fair, please only send one entry per email address.
Giveaway Questions:
Rules, yes, giveaways always require rules:
- Family and friends of The Mature Mouse™ (David Brassard) are illegible to enter.
- Entrants for this giveaway must be 18 years of age or older.
- Entrants must reside in the continental United States. My apologies, there are so many rules and regulations to include readers from other countries.
- 1 (one) entry per email address, please.
- Entries must contain a mailing address within the continental United States. The Mature Mouse™ must be able to send you your gift.
- Emails will be accepted until midnight on December 5.
- All emails containing the correct answers and a proper mailing address will be included in a random drawing to receive an authentic Mickey Mouse sweatshirt.
- The drawing will be held as soon as possible, and the recipient of the authentic Mickey Mouse sweatshirt will receive an email notification.
- The authentic Mickey Mouse sweatshirt will be mailed via by standard ground delivery no later then December 31, 2015.
Please use this link to visit The Mature Mouse™ store for logo merchandise. Many of the items would make great gifts for the Disney fan in your life.
And, make sure you consult Jennie Nowers about your next Disney vacation. Tell her that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift from Jennie with your next booking.
Until Disney…
Parking Fees Increase at Disney World
The Mature Mouse™ is often asked if he prefers staying at a Disney Resort, or offsite in the nearby Orlando area. Although an offsite hotel or motel may offer a less expensive, per-night cost, there are other expenses to consider. By staying off property you may be required to pay for numerous extras, such as car rentals and daily parking fees.
Walt Disney World just raised their parking fees for all their theme parks. According to WDWinfo.com, you can expect to pay the following:
$20.00 – Car/Taxi/Shuttle/Limousine/Motorcycle
$18.00 – Camper/Trailer
$21.00 – Bus/Tractor Trailer
There is also the value you place on convenience to consider when making your resort decision. Disney transportation will take you directly to and from the p
arks. Yes, you do need to wait with others for the bus, boat, or monorail to pick you up. However, for me, that is a minor inconvenience to parking in one of the numerous parking lots outside the theme parks, not to mention fighting the traffic. It is much easier to return to your resort for an afternoon break if you are staying onsite and using Disney transportation. Although there are shuttles from some of the offsite hotels and motels, most of them do not make regular trips to the Disney Parks.
The Mature Mouse™ enjoys being in the Disney bubble during his Walt Disney Vacations. What about you? Do you prefer to stay onsite or off? Please leave your comments below.
Please visit The Mature Mouse™ store for merchandise. Many of the items would make outstanding additions to your vacation gear and attire. If you are a mature fan of Disney, consider getting an item. Are you a Mature Mouse™?
A travel agent who specializes in booking Disney Vacations is a valuable free resource when planning your next trip, and will assist you in choosing the right resort for your stay at Walt Disney World. I started planning my recent trip by calling Jennie Nowers. When Cool Summer Savings was released, Jennie was up early applying these savings to my trip, which saved me 15% on the price of my resort stay. I did not need to do a thing. Tell Jennie that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift with your next booking.
Details of Disney Magic
The Mature MouseTM visits Walt Disney World because it is more than a theme park. A tour of a Disney Park is an intensive experience. Plans for Disney Hollywood Studios, announced at the recent D23, reflect the Imagineers plans for intensifying that experience.
During my recent trip to Disney World, I took some time to capture some of those details in the various parks. The magic of a Disney Park is imbedded in those features; it is the quality that makes a Disney Park more than just another theme park. Imagineers went to great lengths to design an atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. This attention to detail surrounds you at Disney’s resorts, four theme parks, and 2 water parks.
Below are images from my recent visit to Walt Disney World. You should also visit The Theme Park Tourist to read their list of 10 Absurdly Intricate Details at Walt Disney World That Most People Never Notice.
Please visit The Mature MouseTM store for merchandise. Many of the items would make outstanding additions to your vacation gear and attire. This baseball hat is just one of the featured items available through the store. If you are a mature fan of Disney, consider getting an item. Are you a Mature Mouse™?
A travel agent who specializes in booking Disney Vacations is a valuable free resource when planning your next trip, and will assist you in choosing the right resort for your stay at Walt Disney World. I started planning my recent trip by calling Jennie Nowers. When Cool Summer Savings was released, Jennie was up early applying these savings to my trip, which saved me 15% on the price of my resort stay. I did not need to do a thing. Tell Jennie that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift with your next booking.
Escape to Disney
Life would be truly magical if it were only this simple to escape to a Disney Resort! 😎
I’m Missing Disney
Which Disney Resort or Park are you missing the most right now? 
Marceline to Magic Tour – In Honor of Disneyland’s 60th Birthday
Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. I was born in 1957 and grew up watching Disney shows, such as the original Mickey Mouse Club. I remember sitting around the television with my family on Sunday evenings watching the Wonderful World of Color. My favorite episodes were those that featured an inside look at Disneyland. I wanted to go there, to walk in that magical place that Walt Disney had built. Every time I asked my parents when we would get to go to Disneyland, they would always give me the same answer, “some day.” Well, some day came during the summer of 1970 when my family finally made the trek to California to visit family and, of course, explore Disneyland (Chapter 1).
The Mature MouseTM was very fortunate to be able to take the Marceline to Magic Tour during my recent trip to Walt Disney World. This tour explains the various inspirations in Walt Disney’s life that lead him to imagine and build Disneyland. This experience served as a link with the past of Walt Disney to the development of the parks. In honor of Disneyland’s 60th birthday, I wanted to share my experience on the Marceline to Magic Tour.
The tour began at 8 a.m., an hour prior to park opening. I was looking forward to seeing the park void of any crowds. I arrived at the Magic Kingdom entrance around 7:40. There were already a significant number of people standing at the security gates. They would not be allowed to enter for at least an hour or more.
There was a long line forming to the left of the entrance for those guests with breakfast and tour reservations. My MagicBand was scanned as confirmation my reservation, which would allow me early access to the park. This group was allowed in the park approximately 10 minutes before 8, giving me time to check in at City Hall for the tour. The tour group consisted of 13 guests and our tour guide. We wore a receiver and earpieces, so the guide could talk to the group in a conversational tone.
We began our journey on Main Street. It was Walt’s memories of his childhood in Marceline, Missouri, that led to the creation of the iconic Main Street in Disneyland. There are a number of Victorian-styled storefronts throughout this section of the park, which is intended to reflect the quintessential, turn-of-the-century American town. Our tour guide, Mary Elizabeth, told the group about Walt’s optimistic view of progress through the advances in electricity, evident by the transition of gaslights to electric lights as you walk toward the hub.
Our tour crossed the bridge from the hub into Liberty Square. Walt’s patriotism is clearly evident in this section of the park. Mary Elizabeth compared Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland and Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World, and discussed Walt’s involvement in the 1964 World’s Fair.
I have mentioned numerous times that the Haunted Mansion is the favorite attraction of The Mature MouseTM. Imagine my excitement when our tour included a unique opportunity to gain a look backstage at this attraction. Mary Elizabeth gave us the inside scoop on the numerous elements of the interactive queue. As we rode our doom buggies through the attraction, Mary Elizabeth spoke to us through our earpieces describing the props, special effects and juxtaposition of storylines within the attraction. Haunted Mansion reflects both a not-too-scary and humorous look at the 999 grinning ghosts that haunt the attractions.
After exiting the attraction we took a backstage look at some of the special effects found in many attractions. The Mature MouseTM will not spoil the magic, but this part of the tour is well worth the price of admission.
The tour made a stop at the castle to discuss the design of the Cinderella Mosaic, which is one of the few things signed by Imagineers.
The tour moved on to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Mary Elizabeth told us of Walt’s enjoyment in reading to his daughters, which inspired his efforts to bring these stories to life. We looked for evidence on this attraction of some of the same magic Imagineers used in the Haunted Mansion.
Our tour continued into Tomorrowland for a look at the Carousel of Progress. The group was granted a private theatre from which to experience the attraction. Throughout the tour, Mary Elizabeth spoke to us about Walt’s involvement in the 1964-65 World’s Fair and the development of attractions that could then be placed in Disneyland. The Carousel of Progress now graces Walt Disney World as a tribute to Walt Disney and his Imagineers. Mary Elizabeth discussed the various props, hidden Mickeys, and various scenes as we enjoyed the attraction.
The Mature MouseTM highly recommends the Marceline to Magic Tour. This experience gives every Disney fan an insight of Walt Disney and the elements of his life that led him to build Disneyland. Walt did not live to witness the completion of the Walt Disney World, but his spirit is alive within the Magic Kingdom.
The Mature MouseTM would like to wish a very Happy 60th Birthday to Disneyland, and a sincere thank you to Walt Disney for the many years of magic.
Follow this link to learn 15 fun facts about Disneyland.
A travel agent who specializes in booking Disney Vacations is a valuable free resource when planning your next trip. I started planning my recent Disney World Vacation by calling Jennie Nowers. When Cool Summer Savings was released, Jennie was up early applying these savings to my trip, which saved me 15% on the price of my resort stay. I did not have to do a thing. Tell Jennie that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift with your next booking
Please visit The Mature Mouse™ store for merchandise. Many of the items would make outstanding additions to your vacation gear and attire. This baseball hat is just one of the featured items available through the store. If you are a mature fan of Disney, consider getting an item. I am a Mature Mouse™, are you?
The Mature Mouse™ interviewed on WDW Through Jesse’s Eyes podcast
The Mature Mouse™ had the great pleasure of talking Disney with Jesse Barrett and Heath Jarvis, podcasters from WDW Through Jesse’s Eyes. I appreciate your feedback, so please leave a comment below.
Follow WDW Through Jesse’s Eyes through their website, their Facebook page, and iTunes. And, please vote for WDW Through Jesse’s Eyes as the fan favorite by following this link: Disney Podcast Survivor.
A travel agent who specializes in booking Disney Vacations is a valuable free resource when planning your next trip. I started planning my recent Disney World Vacation by calling Jennie Nowers. When Cool Summer Savings was released, Jennie was up early applying these savings to my trip, which saved me 15% on the price of my resort stay. I did not have to do a thing. 
Tell Jennie that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift with your next booking.
Please visit The Mature Mouse™ store for merchandise. Many of the items would make outstanding additions to your vacation gear and attire. This baseball hat is just one of the featured items available through the store. If you are a mature fan of Disney, consider getting an item. I am a Mature Mouse™, are you?
The Mature Mouse™ 