Wordless Wednesday - Rainy Day Cavalcade

The Rainy Day Cavalcade will replace a daytime parade if it’s raining.  Gina is a travel agent at Snapshot Getaways.  Email her at Gina@snapshotgetaways.com to plan for your rainy day!

"Garden Rocks" Performances Announced for 2015 Flower and Garden Festival

One of the fun parts of Disney World's Flower and Garden Festival is the Weekend Concert Series.  This years lineup was just announced.  You can find these groups at America Gardens Theatre in Epcot.  Performances are at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and are included with Epcot admission.   Give yourself plenty of time to line up and get a seat for some classic bands!  

2015 Lineup (subject to change without notice):

March 6-8: Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”

March 13-15: Pablo Cruise “Love Will Find a Way”

March 20-22: En Vogue “Free Your Mind”

March 27-29: Starship “We Built This City”

April 3-5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”

April 10-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”

April 17-19: Jon Secada “Just Another Day”

April 24-26: The Guess Who “These Eyes”

May 1-3: Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart”

May 8-10: Little River Band “Lady”

May 15-17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

This year's festival runs from March 4th-May 17th.  If you haven't planned your trip yet, contact us at Snapshot Getaways to take advantage of current promotional offers!

Maria is a Snapshot Getaways Travel Planner, Mom to 2 Boys and huge fan of the Flower and Garden Festival!  One of her favorite times to visit.  Contact her at maria@snapshotgetaways.com to plan your trip.

"Heads Up" While Waiting in Lines

On a recent trip I found quite a few groups and families entertaining themselves while waiting in line.  Nope, they weren't climbing the fences or pushing each other around…they were playing a game.  I may be the sole person on earth that hadn't heard of this before, but I had to get to the bottom of the Smartphone app, Heads Up.

Basically you download a free app called Heads Up.  It's a game where you hold your phone to your forehead and face your phone (and yourself) to the rest of your group.  The group must then offer hints, sounds, improv, etc to help you guess the word.  When you've guessed it you tip your phone down to register the correct answer and move to the next word.  You may tip your phone up to pass and move on to the next word.  Of course there is a time crunch!

The app comes with several "card decks" which allows you to select from sayings, movies, animals, and other themes.  I was also able to add for free a "Just For Kids" section which had quite a bit of Disney words.  Even funnier, the app videos your group trying to give you hints!

My kids are loving this app even at home, but is a lifesaver while waiting in line.  You may even make some new Disney friends while waiting in line.

Maria is a travel planner with Snapshot Getaways and mom to two boys.  Follow her Facebook Page or email maria@snapshotgetaways.com to plan your next trip to wait in line at Disney!

Friday Freebie-Disney Coloring Pages

Need an activity for a birthday party, class assignment or just a rainy afternoon?  Disney provides free coloring and activities pages for every character available!  So don't forget when you are looking for something to do, Disney fun always available!

Here are the best sites to go for Coloring Pages and Activity Sheets:

Disney

Disney Junior

Crayola

The site is always updated with seasonal activities and coloring pages so check back often!

Maria is a mom to two boys and loves free stuff!  Especially Disney activities which will keep them occupied.  She also plans Disney vacations with Snapshot Getaways.  Follow her on her Facebook page or email at maria@snapshotgetaways.com

Disney Apps-Tsum Tsum

Is this not the cutest opening  EVER??? 
What is a Tsum Tsum you ask? And what does it have to do with Disney??  Well Tsum Tsum means "stack stack" in Japanese. Disney came out with a plush line of these lovable characters that you can stack on top of one another and also you can use the bottom of them as a screen wipe for your phone or tablet.  It's a fun little game that has music in the background that reminds me of
a Disney ride or even the Spectromagic Parade! I usually mute all background music on games and apps but this is one I turn the music up on! It's just so happy.

I need one of every Tsum Tsum made

The game is similar to Bejeweled. You have to connect 3 or more matching characters
to make a line. They will fade out to show you hits if you place your finger on one and you
aren't sure if it will make a line. The more you connect the more coins you get. The more characters you clear you get FEVER! With fever you will be able to connect characters and get your score a lot higher during fever!

THIS IS FEVER!! 

Whichever character you set to use depends on what magic they can do for you.  For example Tigger will clear a bunch of random Tsums at once with a swipe of his tail.  Mickey will clear all of the Tsums in the middle of the screen. Sulley is a special 30K coin gift box and he turns into a huge Sulley and you get 5 coins for just one of him. There are different gift boxes and levels that you can purchase with your coins. There is a 10K coin Happiness box that has Mickey and the Gang in them along with your classic characters. Then there are the 30K coin Premium boxes that have special or limited edition Tsums in them like Sulley,Marie,Stitch,Bambi etc in those. The only thing I do not like about the boxes is that you can not choose which character you get.I have gotten the same character multiple times. They level up to the next level but I think this should be up to the player to level their characters up after they get their collection bought. With a higher level character they will get a higher skill level number and will grow in size,variation or how many others they clear at once. You can do this too by spending your coins to change the level they are on.

                          

Tigger Tsum Tsum.....From a Happiness 10K coin box

You earn stars for every time you level up to another level in the game. My level is 28. There is a percentage bar and you usually get 1-3 percent after every game you play. You get 5 hearts to start off with. Those hearts replenish after you start using the 5 you have. It takes 14 minutes to replenish 1 heart. After you have 100% for that level and move up to the next level you will gain a ruby. The rubies are used to buy more hearts or coins.

 Every day there is a daily mission that starts at 24:00 *I'm guessing this is on Japan time but I haven't figured out the rhyme or reason behind it yet. Some days I have 2 missions to complete and some days just 1* During the missions you will have to complete a task. Most take several game plays of 10-20 hearts in a 24 hour period of time. You will gain more coins this way. I have gained up to 40K or more depending on the special they have going.

There are in app purchases and as tempting as it is I haven't bought anything with real money in the game. I find that if I play many times during the day I'm ok and I don't get too bored with it. Each game lasts 60 seconds or longer if you get extended time bonuses during that game.

If you have it on an iPad and iPhone they do not connect and share the information. So you can play on separate devices and get double play but can not share the coins or Tsums between the 2 accounts.
It does require an internet connection to play and will also ask you to create a LINE account. This is not something I have done because every time I tried it told me I had to register for it. I tried a few times and gave up. I believe this is so you can be ranked with other players and play against other people and friends.





Give it a try and let me know what you think!!

All photos are courtesy of Dulcie Hayes

A little about Dulcie...
I am a native Floridian who has been traveling to Disney World since 1976! I am Submariners wife,Mommy to a 10 yr old "Princess" Imagineer in Training and Travel Agent Extraordinaire with Snapshot Getaways. I earned my ears 4 years ago with Disney College of Knowledge and have enjoyed every Magical booking since.Feel free to contact me for your FREE quote today and let's start Makin' Memories the Disney way.
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Email-Dulcie@SnapshotGetaways.com

Disney Devoted Survival Tips-Flying to Disney

After months of planning you are now on your way Disney.  No time to slack…you’ve got to get through the plane ride!  Here are some helpful hints that you and your plane mates will appreciate.  Did you miss Disney Devoted Survival Tips: Planning Ahead?  Click Here

At the Airport

• Get there Early
  :  Arrive with plenty of time to get through the process with your children.  Its stressful enough without being rushed.
• Look for the Family Line at Security:  Most airports have them and it’s meant to give families a little breathing room getting through security.  This is not an excuse to be unprepared.  Have your toiletries ready, pockets emptied, belts off etc.  The family behind you will appreciate it.
• Dress appropriately:  Hopefully you’ve worn comfortable clothes and shoes!  At the time of this article children are no longer required to remove their shoes for security screening.
• It all goes in:  You will need to put just about everything through the security belt.  Including your stroller and car seat.  Remember to take your child out of the car seat if they are in it.  If you’ve ever gone through this process you will understand how it happens!
• Tire them out:  Once you are through, you need to look for ways to keep your child entertained.  Avoid the goodies you packed, if at all possible until the plane ride.  Many airports have children’s play areas, but if not a child can be easily entertained at a busy airport.
• Everybody goes:  Get some beverages and a potty break in so you are ready to go when the time comes.  Not all airplane bathrooms have a changing table, so get a fresh diaper in at the last-minute.

The Plane

• Boarding:  One of the advantages of traveling with kids is getting to be one of the first to board the plane.  Be prepared to do this 20-30 minutes before takeoff.  With that said, some flights to/from Orlando will not give you this particular benefit.  With so many families on the flight it’s counter productive.
• Seating:  Once you are on, get your child settled in their car seat or in the seat belt.  If they are a lap child, the attendants will instruct you on the proper way to hold your child  during takeoff and landing.   Have their survival bag at their feet.  You should have your supplies handy as well.
• Takeoff:  During takeoff, an infant should be nursing, drinking or using a pacifier to keep their ears clear.  So plan your timing if they are bottle feeding or nursing.  Older kids are helped with chewy food like fruit gummies or crackers.  Anything to keep the jaw moving.
• Play Nice With Others:  You are traveling with your children, but some on the plane are not.  Be conscious of your child’s feet and hands during the flight.  It may go unnoticed, but the littlest pulling on the tray table or banging the seat back is annoying to the people in front of you.  The lady with the stylish hairdo, may not appreciate your toddlers hands running through it.
• The Flight:  Once you are in the air, the boredom will start.  Dole out those snacks and games one at a time.   If need be, take your kiddo for a walk up and down the aisle.  Just avoid doing this during beverage service, as you will be in the way.
• Landing:  With a little planning and patience, you will be in Orlando before you know it!

The plane has landed, you are here!  Follow the signs to your method of transportation and Disney is about 40 minutes away.   Make sure you have directions to your hotel if are renting a car, as it can be confusing.

Disney Devoted Tip:  One of the best advantages of staying in a Disney Resort is the Magical Express.  You will get luggage tags ahead of time and once placed on your luggage, the Disney Magic begins.  You leave your luggage at the check in desk in your departing city and don’t have to worry about it until you get to your hotel room.  Bags will arrive a few hours after you do , so pack your carry-on accordingly.   Follow the signs to the Magical Express and they will check you in and you will be on the bus to your resort.  Most buses go directly to one resort during the busy times, but may make several stops if it’s not as crowded.

Maria aka MickeyMom is a travel planner with Snapshot Getaways, Disney Devotee and hates to fly!  Visit her on her facebook page or email maria@snapshotgetaways.com for travel assistance.