Happy Father's Day

Today is the day we celebrate fathers everywhere. Walt Disney was a great father and loved his two girls; Sharon and Diane.

Diane did an interview with Huffington Post, awhile back,  about her dad and we found this interesting to share on this Father's Day.

Huffington Post : What is the one thing about him that you think people should know?

Diane Disney Miller: No one understands that he was really a dad. He drove my sister and me to school every morning. Every weekend, either Saturday or Sunday, he'd say it was Daddy's day, where he'd take us all day to the local park where they had a beautiful carousel or take us to the studio -- we'd run around the studio on weekends when there was nobody there, we'd go into every animation room and prowl around the lot. He was really a dad. He went to every school function, every Father's Night.

So today we are taking the time to thank some of the Disney Dad's that are in our lives.

Happy Father's Day!

Feel free to share a picture of you and your Disney Dad with us.

May the Force Be...

At Disney?  Since Disney aquired the rights to the Star Wars Franchise there have been rumors swirling about a new section of Hollywood Studios devoted to Star Wars.  Both Disneyland and Disney World currently feature the fan favorite Star Tours ride.  Well the rumors are about to have some facts behind them, and they may be bigger than we even anticipated.

On a quarterly earnings call with Wall Street Analysts, Disney chief Bob Iger said that "design and development for Star Wars offerings would be revealed later in 2015."  He also said there's a "fair amount of design and development to greatly increase Star Wars presence in multiple locations around the world".  Bob Iger goes on to say "the plans are ambitious, so it's going to take some time for them to be built and opened".  He added that any future plans would be based on future films in the franchise.  That's a lot of pressure on the next trilogy of Star Wars films!  The first in the trilogy, Star Wars-The Force Awakens is set for release December 18, 2015.

There are several events in Anaheim (Disneyland) and in Florida where we can expect an announcement.

• Star Wars Celebration is set for April 16th-19th at the Anaheim Convention Center.
• May the 4th-Star Wars Fans will know this one.
• Star Wars Weekend-held at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World select weekends in May and June.
• D23 Expo-Scheduled for August 14th-16th in Anaheim.
• Star Wars-The Force Awakens release date is December 18th.

Or they could pick a random Tuesday, when we least expect it and share the exciting news!  Would you like to be a part of Star Wars events at Disney?  Contact us at snapshotgetaways.com for packages today!

Wordless Wednesday-Disney Cruise Line! Christmas on the high seas....

Here are some photos for those fellow cruisers or those who are thinking about spending Christmas on the high seas with Mickey and the gang! This was a 4 night Bahamas itinerary on the Dream last December. Enjoy!

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.
Facebook-Dream Along with Dulcie
Twitter-DreamAlongWithDulcie
Email-Dulcie@SnapshotGetaways.com

Friday Freebie-Celebration Buttons

One of the most popular pieces of advice given by savvy Disney travelers is to get your “Disney Button” .  You may ask what could possibly make you want to look like you work for a restaurant chain while visiting Disney?  Well, Disney is its own little “World” and wearing Disney Buttons and Mickey Ears on your head are all OK.  So here is the dish on Disney World Buttons.

What are they?

Well, they are a 3 inch round button provided by Disney at no charge to you.  They promote different occasions you might have come to Disney to celebrate.   Currently there are buttons available for the following:

• First Visit (Can be personalized)
• Happy Birthday or Feliz Cumpleanos (Can be personalized)
• Happy Anniversary
• Just Married
• Just Engaged
• Family Reunion
• Generic “I’m Celebrating”

Where do I get one?

• If you’ve notated your special occasion on your resort reservation its likely they will have ready for you when you check in.  If not, ask at the concierge desk and they will make up a button for you.
• Guest Services at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
• City Hall at the Magic Kingdom

What do I get with my button?

A little extra pixie dust is all I tell everyone to expect.  Everything after that is a bonus!  Cast Members will go out of their way to wish you a “Happy Birthday” or other occasion when they notice your button.  Here are some other perks we’ve gotten over the years:

• The button itself makes a cool souvenir, make sure they redo the writing as you finish your trip.  It can get a little rough-looking after a few days.
• A special dessert (cupcake, ice cream, etc.) at a table service meal.
• Signed birthday cards from the characters at a character meal.
• Stickers handed out randomly by cast members.
• Balloon Bouquets from the resort
• Extra attention during a live show

What are the rules?

There are no hard and fast rules for getting a button.  While Disney gives them out freely I think it ruins the magic if you take a button just to get free stuff.  That being said, I don’t think it has to be your actual birthday or anniversary to get a button.  If you are in Disney celebrating the occasion then make sure everyone knows it!  My son’s birthdays are 6 weeks apart and when we celebrate at Disney we go in between both their days.  They both get a celebration button of course!

Anyone have a button I didn’t mention above?  They’ve changed over the years and some come and go.  Want to share your button stories?  We would love to hear from you!

Maria aka MickeyMom is a mom to 2 boys and sadly has never gotten a celebration button.  She is also a travel planner with Snapshot Getaways and you may follow her on her Mickey Mom Facebook Page.