April 7, 2016 - On the Go in MCO

Have you ever been sitting in front of your computer wondering how to start your Walt Disney World planning?

Today we will share some hints to help make the process easier and more efficient when you call the Disney Reservation Center (407) 934-7639.

Whether if it is your first trip to Walt Disney World, first time booking a vacation for yourself, or even if you’re a seasoned pro you’ll find some useful tips!

Walt Disney World Planning Tips:

7 Things to Know Before You Call

1. Travel Dates

Try to have an idea of when you are looking to travel. Pick specific dates, know they can be changed. It is also a good idea to have a backup set of dates or know if you are even flexible by a day or two.

2. Travel Party

Have a plan of who is traveling in your party. Know how many adults, how many children (including their ages), and make sure that you include infants in your count. These can all have an impact on where you can stay and your overall cost.

3. Travel Plans

How are you planning on getting to Walt Disney World? Are you flying, driving, or coming by train? Did you know you can book airfare or rental cars or limos through Disney for one stop shopping?

4. Plan Ahead

If you can, plan your vacation as early as you possibly can. This gives you a chance to save money for your trip and possibly on your trip. Did you know you can currently book stays up to 499 days in advance of your travel dates by calling Disney directly? This can be extremely helpful if you know where you want to stay, when you want to come, especially if you’re coming at a popular time of year.

5. My Disney Experience

Do you have a My Disney Experience account?

Setting up an account online is easy and will make the reservation process efficient.

You will need a minimal amount information to setup an account at mydisneyexperience.com, and the process should take less than five minutes.

6. Contact Information

Make sure you have the contact information for those for whom you’re trying to book as you are not able to book them all under your info.

The information you will need to provide is:

legal first and last names (middle names or initials as they appear on government issued ids like license, birth certificate, or passport if flying with dates of birth for TSA),
ages of any children under 18 at the time of check in,
complete mailing addresses (street address, city, state, zip, etc.),
the best contact phone number, and
an email address.

Keep in mind Disney cannot honor surprise reservations, so they will be sending out reservation information by either email or postal mail including pricing.

7. Saving Money

Calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 934-7639 directly could also lead to finding ways to save that you didn’t expect.

You may find an offer that you are eligible for that you have not received yet, occasional and random room upgrade offers, packages that can only be booked over the phone such as discounts for active duty or retired military, and packages with room and dining without tickets.

Cast Members can also provide helpful suggestions and easily compare package savings over the phone between multiple offers to see which one is the best savings for your party.

I hope that these tips help you in your Walt Disney World planning!

Discovery Cove Guests Swim with the Fishes…Help Save the Reefs

Guests who swim among tropical fish at Discovery Cove in Orlando now have a new connection to the world’s oceans: When they swim in the park’s Grand Reef, or participate in the SeaVenture® underwater dive experience, they are surrounded by — and supporting – a conservation research program that aims to protect the world’s most fragile ocean reefs.

Rising Tide Conservation is an innovative initiative – started by SeaWorld and now including universities, professional aquarists, aquaculture facilities and retail pet supply companies as partners — that promotes efforts to breed and raise marine tropical fish in aquaculture facilities rather than collecting them in the wild. Collection of marine tropical fish can cause damage to both the reef and the ecosystem it sustains.

Discovery Cove directly participates in the program by collecting and donating fish eggs that otherwise would not hatch and purchasing fish that have been raised through the program. The eggs that are collected are sent to partner laboratories in the program to be utilized in breeding research.

The Grand Reef at Discovery Cove, which all guests can swim and snorkel in, is now home to hundreds of fish that have been aquacultured through this initiative, and hundreds more that are involved in the research program by providing eggs.

Additionally, new this year, guests who participate in the SeaVenture program also will directly help support Rising Tide Conservation, as the park is donating five percent of every program purchased.

“Rising Tide Conservation is a forward-thinking, innovative program that will have long-term, positive impacts on whole reef-based ecosystems and we are proud of our company’s long-held support of it,” said Discovery Cove Vice President Stewart Clark. “Now guests, too, can see firsthand – and be a part of – the efforts of multiple groups working together to help save reefs.”