The newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Fantasy, sets sail on her maiden voyage on March 31st. She’s the sister ship of the Disney Dream but the two ships aren’t twins – the Fantasy, takes what was innovative on the Dream and makes it her own.

Where the Disney Dream is themed in Art Deco, the Fantasy is Art Nouveau-inspired right down to the bronze statue of Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse dressed in vintage 1920s-30s fashion in the atrium beneath the chandelier decorated with Swarovski crystals.

What makes the Disney Fantasy special? Just take a look!

• Animator’s Palate features a brand new show during which guests doodle and draw, then Sorcerer Mickey brings these drawings to life!

• The first ever Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at sea complete with exclusive makeovers: Captain Mickey Mouse, Princess Minnie Mouse, First Mate Minnie Mouse, and Under the Sea packages.

• Become a First Mate or Empress pirate at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which magically transforms into The Pirates League especially for pirate party nights! Boys, girls AND grownups are welcome!

• The exclusive live theater production “Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular” from Disneyland joins the spectacular lineup of Disney shows and performances in the Walt Disney Theater.

• Europa, themed to hotspots in European travel, is a nighttime entertainment district just for adults.

The Chief Mouse and I will be sailing the Disney Fantasy on March 23rd during the 3-night preview cruise just for invited travel agents and media – a full week before her official maiden voyage! Are you ready for your own Fantasy? Send us a quote request form and we’ll make magic happen.

- Kimberly

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Sister Ships, Not Twins is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

Heated loungers in the Disney Dream Senses Spa… ahhhh….

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Wordless Wednesday is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

by Julie Harrington, MTT Julie

Previously I discussed some simple and easy ways to start saving for your Disney vacation. Now I want to touch base on some other other money saving tips, to help build your Disney Vacation Fund. Some of these may take more effort and time, but if you are one of hundreds of people who spend alot of time on their computers, then these may be right up your alley.

Sign up for Swagbucks.com, it’s FREE. You are awarded swagbucks which then can be redeemed for various Gift Cards or even PayPal Cash. If you sign up you automatically receive 30 Swagbucks. How do you earn Swagbucks? Simple. Use Swagbucks as your search engine and get rewarded for doing your normal everyday web searching. Watch short videos, play games, print off coupons and once redeemed you will be rewarded, refer friends and all of the swagbucks they earn, you also earn. You can take surveys, sign up for special offers and more. Then use all that money you have racked up and put it to good use on your next Disney vacation.

Speaking of surveys, did you know that you can get paid to take surveys? Yes, I know you probably have heard many stories and may have even researched different online companies. But trust me you can actually do this. How much time you spend doing this will determine how much money you can earn, but even a few bucks here and there can add up. I am signed up with OpinionOutpost.com. Basically what you do is sign up for FREE. Fill out some personalized forms to help connect you to the surveys you will best qualify for. Then you will be emailed surveys that are are eligible to take. Usually the faster you are at catching these emails, the better your odds are at qualifying and collecting your rewards.

Once the companies have reached their projected completed surveys, they will close out that survey. So you fill out your surveys and get the noted points added to your account. You are then able to cash out on your account and can either receive your rewards on a gift card or through PayPal. I highly recommend this company and have used them personally to help build my own fund.

This last tip may not put money into your bank account, but can help you take that extra visit to Disney you will be wanting to plan while your heading home from your current trip. Did you know that both Southwest and JetBlue airlines offer lower fare credits? I have done this on both airlines. Here’s what you need to know. If you are currently booked on either of these airlines for your upcoming trip, check your flight fares daily, even multiple times during the day, if your flight price reduces, you may apply a credit to your account. Both airlines will allow you to adjust your price to the lower current fare price and then give you a credit in the difference to use on your next flight with them. You will need to book your future flight with them within a year of your original booking.

I suggest calling your airline to request information on this to get all the details and applicable terms they may have. If you are trying to utilize this credit tip, I highly suggest booking each end of your flight separately. Book your flight to Orlando first or your flight home, which ever is cheapest at the time. Then wait a little to see if your flight fare lowers and apply for a credit, then use that credit to book the second leg of your flight. Mind you the further out you book your flights the better odds of you being able to utilize this tip. There is a chance of this backfiring on you and waiting on flights could mean flight prices only increase, so weigh your options and figure out what works best for you and your financial situation.

I hope these tips have helped you in building your funds and getting the best value. If you are ready to book to your Disney vacation, request your quote today with me and I will also let you know about my Referral Program, where you can add more money to your Disney Vacation Fund.

-Julie

Contact MTT Julie at julie.harrington@mousetalestravel.com or 978.707.9047 to book your Disney vacation! For more Disney information, join Julie’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/PixieTrips
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Saving Up for Disney 2 is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

Sure, packing’s a memory too – why not?

Credits -

Template: Template 36 by MJ-AJ Designs
Paper: Painted Solids by Meghan Mullens
Stitches: Around the World by Sahlin Studio & Britt-ish Designs
Alpha: Birthday Mouse by Chelle’s Creations
Journaling font: CK Jot

Journaling reads:

Why is it so hard to fit everything back into a suitcase after vacation? We don’t buy too many souvenirs so it’s just clothes but eek, I hate that part of our cruises!

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Magical Memories Monday is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

by Jenny Thrasher, MTT Jenny

~ The Right Pair of Shoes Can Change a Girl’s Life ~

This is one of my favorite sayings!  It fits me in so many ways … my love of Disney, my love of Cinderella, and my love of shoes!   What happens when you combine the three?

Contact MTT Jenny at jenny.thrasher@mousetalestravel.com or 503-610-3845 to book your Disney vacation! For more Disney information, join Jenny’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/TiaraTravels
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A Little Bit of Disney in My Day is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

by Glynis Habeck, MTT Glynis

My husband and I recently visited the island of Oahu, part of the Hawaiian islands, and stayed at the new Disney Resort and Spa, Aulani (pronounced: Ow-uh-lahni).  We had never been to Hawaii before and when we saw that Disney had opened a resort there, we knew it was time to visit “paradise”.  Aulani definitely fulfilled our expectations for a Disney resort.

Aulani is on the western side of Oahu, about 20 miles northwest of the Honolulu International Airport, in Ko’Olina.  Ko’Olina is a resort style area, with 3 other resort/hotels, a championship golf course, eateries, and a few homes.  In other words, it is a nice quiet area without all of the hustle and bustle that you will find around the Waikiki Beach area.  It is still close enough that you can easily get to downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore and Diamond Head, but Aulani’s 21 acre resort’s location is perfect for an island getaway.  Aulani is primarily a Disney Vacation Club resort, with more rooms allotted for the Villa-style rooms than your typical resort, or studio, rooms.  No worries though, even if you are not part of DVC, you can book a room here and if there are the DVC rooms available, you can book those as well.

There are 4 restaurants and 2 lounges available, as well as room service, a fitness center, a luxurious spa, a teen spa and even a Kid’s Club, called Aunty’s Beach House.  When Disney started dreaming and planning Aulani, they wanted to make sure they stayed true to the Hawaiian culture and even had meetings with the locals and asked for their help and opinions.  Actually, Aulani means, “message from the chief”, and due to the blessings given to Disney from the local people, this name seemed to fit perfectly.

One of the ideas Disney had when planning Aulani, was to make it very similar to their cruise line format.  Meaning, you could come to Aulani and they would provide lots of activities and a wonderful environment so that if you chose not to leave the resort for your entire stay, you would never run out of things to do and see.  The kids can be well taken care of while the adults play golf, relax in the spa, or just lounge by the pool.  Disney even gives guests a daily activities guide (like the Navigator onboard the cruise line), called “the daily ‘IWA” (pronounced: eeVah).

It was evident with all of the locals that came during the weekend we were there, that Disney is fulfilling that desire to have a place that even if you know the island well, this resort is a place to visit and relax and enjoy all they have to offer.  Of course, those of us that know Disney, know that they strive to go that extra mile when serving us, and Aulani was no different.  Actually, we felt that even more while there.  They made us feel like royalty the entire stay, always smiling, willing to help and never seemed rushed when we asked questions.  Just the little things can mean so much.  Like, having refreshing water with citrus available around the resort area, greeting you with a smile anytime they see you, knowing you by name after a short time, having complimentary robe and slippers during your stay, and turn down service each night.

Choosing to stay at Disney’s newest Resort and Spa Aulani, is a choice I really believe you will be happy you made!  Granted, Hawaii is amazing in itself, and Aulani just adds to the unbelievable memories you and your family can make while on the island.  Be on the lookout for my next blog about the resort layout and their rooms.

Contact MTT Glynis at 404-394-7223 or glynis.habeck@mousetalestravel.com to book your next Disney vacation! For more information about Disney travel join Glynis’ Facebook page: Facebook.com/MinnieVacations
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Why Aulani? is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. This old favorite from The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios isn’t on the menu anymore but we had to share it with our gluten-free friends.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Makes 12 individual cakes

Flourless Chocolate Cakes
1 cup butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons freshly brewed espresso or instant espresso
2 tablespoons hot water
6 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons rum

Ganache
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup dark chocolate chips

For cakes:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease two 6-cup silicone muffin molds.
2. Combine butter and chocolate chips in a glass bowl and microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir until smooth. If not melted completely, return to microwave for 15-second intervals, stirring between each until melted. Set aside.
3. Combine cocoa powder, espresso and water in a separate bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
4. Combine eggs, sugar, and rum in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly. Add cocoa-espresso mixture to egg mixture, then stir in melted chocolate mixture. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
5. Pour batter into prepared muffin molds and bake until cakes puff slightly and surfaces are set, about 22-25 minutes.
6. Cool, then refrigerate for at least three hours.

For ganache:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add heavy cream and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips; whisk until smooth.

To serve:

1. Remove cooled cakes from molds.
2. Set a wire rack over a large bowl, and one cake at a time, place on wire rack and coat with ganache, making sure to cover sides.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Who’s hungry?!?

- Kimberly

888.883.7940 | guestservices@mousetalestravel.com
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A Piece of Gluten-Free Heaven is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

Please join me in wishing The Chief Mouse a very happy birthday today!

This picture is from our weekend getaway to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina in January. We loved it there!

- Kimberly

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Wordless Wednesday is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

by Julie Harrington, MTT Julie

Disney for me has become an amazing place where my family has been able to grow and learn so much from each other.

I’m Julie, the planner in the family. I planned our very first trip to Disney World and have been planning down to every detail every trip since then. My loving husband, Keith, knows now that he doesn’t have to worry about stressing over any parts of our vacations, other than making sure he takes the time off work to enjoy it with us. My two children, Jack and Katie, help me fill our house with the Disney Magic while we are awaiting our arrival to our favorite Disney Destinations. We watch our Disney Vacation Planning DVD and our Disney Cruise Line Vacation Planning DVD in anticipation of what’s to come.

Our times at Disney World are my most cherished moments. I get to see my children’s looks of amazement and listen to them share stories with each other, only an imagination filled with pixie dust could think of. When your child meets their favorite Disney character for the first time, up close and personal, it is pure magic, not only for your child but for you. When my husband has that goofy grin on his face and he’s racing around the parks with my children, like a child himself, I can sit back and smile and know that all that planning was worth every last second.

My husband and I are still waiting for that CHILD-FREE trip. I am not sure who gets more excited when we are heading off to Disney, us or our children.

I truly believe that planning magical vacations is what I am meant to do. When you find passion in something, your heart and soul goes into it, and there is nothing more amazing than using your heart and soul to make someone’s Disney vacation dream come true.

-Julie Harrington

Contact MTT Julie at julie.harrington@mousetalestravel.com or 978.707.9047 to book your Disney vacation! For more Disney information, join Julie’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/PixieTrips

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Meet MTT Julie is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists

The Baby’s First Haircut experience at the Harmony Barber Shop is great!!! I don’t think they really care too much if it’s the first actual snip or not, but they did a great job. We adopted our daughter at the age of 2.5 years old, and while we aren’t 100% sure if she’d ever had a haircut or not, from looking at the photos she’s never had much hair at all until we got her. Thus, when she was about to turn 3 years old we decided that she should have her first haircut (with us) at the Magic Kingdom.

The lady cutting her hair sort of chuckled because, honestly, there really wasn’t enough there to cut. Oh well, Sarah got a little “shape up” and some nice confetti…and LOTS and LOTS of stickers. The package you get comes with a certificate that they put in their name, the date, and “Baby’s first haircut” on it. They get a set of ears with “First Haircut” on the back, and you get a lock of the hair to keep forever…along with lots of stickers and confetti.

While Sarah will sit perfectly still and loved getting her hair cut, others there didn’t. Not to worry, the wonderful Cast Members there have many tricks to help little ones sit still one of which was giving them a LONG string of stickers to play with. The extra “style” for Sarah was something we added because all 3 of her siblings had their hair styled and we couldn’t leave her out…and since she was basically 3 it was okay.

Because the line at the Barber Shop can be quite lengthy, I would recommend making a reservation for this, or getting there right at 9 AM when the Magic Kingdom opens.

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First Haircut at Harmony Barber Shop is a post from: Mouse Tales® Travel - Your Disney Vacation Specialists