Pixie Dust PhD

Quick update from me: no Monthly Creator Update in October I don't think. I was traveling mid-month and have just been slammed at work. But thanks to everyone who is engaged!

I hope to make videos on recent big Disney news soon, but if not remember to follow me on Ko-Fi. I just posted a pretty thorough list about the DVC Membership Magic Beyond add-on: ko-fi.com/post/Membership-Magic-Beyond-Add-On-for-…

I have not yet posted about Lightning Lane Premier Pass, but I hope to soon. I still have a few questions so I'm digging through FAQs.

Do you think you will (or would you) buy the DVC Membership Magic Beyond optional enhanced benefit package? (If you aren't eligible, pretend you would be)
Spoiler for the end of my Ko-Fi post: I probably am buying it. Mickey math, y'all!

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Pixie Dust PhD

Official introduction of The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort -- the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort!
The email went out this morning, woohoo! Check out my ko-fi post for a rundown of highlights: ko-fi.com/post/DVC-Introduces-The-Cabins-at-Disney…


I won't repeat the whole Ko-Fi post, but notably:
-Projected summer 2024 opening
-January 2075 expiration
-Sleeps up to 6 (dedicated bedroom with queen bed and twin bunks, murphy pull down queen in living area), and is dog friendly
-No points chart, annual dues, anticipated sale timeframe yet
-No mention of laundry, which leads me to believe cabins won't have dedicated in-unit laundry (like other 1-bedroom DVC accommodations)


"Summer 2024" to me is anytime between May and September. I would think they'll try to have these out/bookable/ready to go prior to July 4 (I could definitely be wrong though!). If we're imagining a June or so opening, we *could* see sales start in the early new year. This is all a guess though. Recall that Villas at Disneyland Hotel started sales in May and opened in late September. The buffer between sales and opening does not have to be very long! Let me know what you think when sales will start in the poll below :)

2 years ago | [YT] | 5

Pixie Dust PhD

So much Disney parks (price) news!
I'm pretty slammed this week, so no video. But I made a post over on Ko-Fi going over the highlights of the Disney Parks news. Most of it does have to do with prices, but hey--great news for WDW! Park hopping at all times returns early 2024! VICTORY SCREECH.
See the full rundown here: ko-fi.com/post/SO-Many-Disney-Parks-Price-Updates-…

2 years ago | [YT] | 5

Pixie Dust PhD

Update on 8/2: I'm continuing to keep track of this as I believe it's of great interest to anyone going down to WDW in the fall. There isn't an easy way for me to post the updated table on YouTube, so head over to my Ko-Fi page to see more. But basically, as of today, I think Magic Kingdom extended evening hours are likely dead for the month of October. The fully updated table (downloadable, too) and more musings are here: ko-fi.com/i/IH2H4NTP7M

ICYMI: Walt Disney World announced Extended Evening Hours (for guests at deluxe and villa resorts) at Hollywood Studios in October. In the attached image, I've denoted when Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is happening at Magic Kingdom in the third column, then extended evening hours in the fourth (and the relevant park for extended evening hours in the fifth column). The WDW calendar only goes out through September 24 as of today, so we have some gaps to fill for sure. It's interesting though -- a solid pattern of extended evening hours on Mondays at EPCOT and Wednesdays at Magic Kingdom for now. I'm very curious to see what the end of September and beginning of October will look like for extended evening hours. What do you think will happen?!

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

Pixie Dust PhD

Fundraiser!!

For the month of July, I am matching your donations to a wonderful organization called Feed the Fridge. To put it briefly: they are working to tackle food insecurity in my community by providing nutritious meals with dignity. Funds from individual donors go to local restaurants, who are paid to create meals. Those meals then get stocked in refrigerators around my community. Individuals in need can grab a meal at any time--no registration, no questions, no limits. Corporate sponsors pay for overhead costs, so your donations go directly to the cost of meals.

Being food insecure is genuinely a horrifying experience. I've been fortunate in my life such that when I was quite poor and there were weeks when I wasn't sure I could afford groceries, I had other people to fall back on. That's not true for everyone, but everyone should be fed. Folks should not have to worry about if they'll get to eat today or not.

Please consider donating! If you donate directly to Feed the Fridge send me a screenshot (on Twitter, Instagram, or email). If you'd rather, you can also tip me on Ko-Fi, and I'm counting all tips this month as donations. I'm keeping track of your generosity, then in August I'll donate my match.

For more details check out this video. If you can donate, please do consider it. If you aren't able to donate, please spread the word! Thank you!

2 years ago | [YT] | 2

Pixie Dust PhD

Deals to know about for anyone heading to Orlando this summer/fall!

1) It's Southwest's 2023 Wanna Get Away Day! Book from June 13-June 15 with code "40OFF" for travel on select between August 15 and December 14 to receive up to 40% off base fares. If your dates are flexible, you could save a ton here. I was able to find multiple flights for $57 to $69 (one way, per person) for my travel route across various days this fall. And if you've already booked flights on Southwest that fall in the promotional period, see if those flights (or others at nearby times) are eligible for the discounted rate and you can always modify your trip with the promotion code then put the savings into your travel bank! Note that travel is blacked out from November 16-27.

2) For Walt Disney World specifically, there is a 4-day, 4-park magic ticket offering valid June 1 to September 29 (block out dates from July 1 to July 4 and September 1 to September 4). This is $99 per d ay plus tax. You get one entrance into each of the four parks (you cannot repeat a park!) and it is not a park hopper ticket. Ticket is valid for 7 days from first entrance, and you do not need theme park reservations. Tickets expire within 7 days of first use or on September 29, 2023, whichever comes first.
Learn more: disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/2023-four…

3) MouseSavers has a really great corporate promotion for the Hilton Grand Vacations Club suites at SeaWorld Orlando and at Tuscany Village. If you book through the MouseSavers link by June 26 for stays of at least 2 nights between August 1 and November 16 you can save a boatload! You're getting waived resort fees, up to 10% off the best refundable rate, and parking is free. I was browsing and found rates for a one bedroom suite (with 1 king bed and a pull out queen sofa), with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and over 800 square feet of space for about $200 a night after all the fees and whatnot. It's worth browsing!
Please do note that Hilton Grand Vacations Club is the Hilton timeshare, so upon check-in you will probably be asked if you're interested in learning more or a presentation or tour, etc. Just firmly but politely say no. It is also a timeshare so there will be limited housekeeping. Plus these properties are not RIGHT at Disney. They aren't super far - sort of between Disney Springs and Universal Resort, but you will want to plan to have your car/a rental car, or have a budget for rideshares. And do remember your commute time to the parks will be a tad longer than you might be used to. The SeaWorld location is obviously at SeaWorld; the Tuscany Village location is essentially at the Vineland outlets. If you're planning to do more than Disney (SeaWorld, Universal, resort days, shopping) these are actually pretty good, central locations in my opinion.
I haven't stayed at either of these properties myself so can't speak to quality of anything, but check out TripAdvisor (as well as the prices for your vacation dates) and see if you think it'd be worth it!
Hilton GVC at SeaWorld MouseSavers link: www.mousesavers.com/hilton-grand-vacations-suites-…
Hilton GVG at Tuscany Village MouseSavers link: www.mousesavers.com/hilton-grand-vacations-tuscany…

3 years ago | [YT] | 14

Pixie Dust PhD

Disneyland DVC news update! Villas at Disneyland Hotel (VDH) sale date announced!

Watch the short video for full highlights, but essentially:
Disney Parks Blog confirmed sales will begin May 2 for existing DVC members, May 30 for the public
Disney Vacation Club posted the 2023 and 2024 VDH points charts. They're not bad! Very in line with Villas at Grand Californian.

DVCNews.com has been hard and work and indicates:
- The base price will reportedly be $230/point
- Resale restrictions (ala Riviera) apply; this also means recent resale members that were not grandfathered in to the old system will not be able to use their resale points to book VDH
- Early owners at VDH will be able to book starting on May 16; non-owners with eligible vacation points will have to wait until July 27

If you're hoping to buy into VDH soon, time to start getting your financial ducks in a row. We will don't have official pricing, buy-in incentive, or annuals due information yet, but I'm sure that's coming soon.

3 years ago | [YT] | 1

Pixie Dust PhD

Small bit of Villas at Disneyland Hotel news! (Picture credit to Disney, from Disneyland.com/VillasDisneylandHotel)

Edit on 3/3: Just posted a video on the topic for folks that prefer that format! https://youtu.be/uROH4ZdxjXs

In case you missed it, Disney Parks Blog posted this updated today: disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2023/02/the-villas-…

Highlights:
* Opening in September, exact date not announced
* "Duo Studios" (two person studios, like Riviera Tower Studios) are Jungle Book themed
* Deluxe Studios will be themed to Sleeping Beauty of Princess and the Frog
* One and two bedrooms will be themed to Fantasia or Princess and the Frog
* Grand Villas are two floors, with the first floor primary suite themed to Bambi, bedrooms upstairs themed to Frozen and Moana
* CASH ONLY reservations are being accepted beginning March 15 for DVC members (you have to call member services), March 16 for Disneyland Resort Magic Key holders (again, you have to call), and March 17 to the general public (which can be booked online).

** There was NO information about sales, pricing, points charts, annual dues, resale restrictions, points bookings, etc., at this time **

I personally find this strategy a bit odd... to announce cash reservations in the coming weeks without talking about sales at all. There's many possibilities why this could be the case, and we don't have info directly from DVC about anything. If we're all still stuck in limbo, I may make a speculation video later this week, but it is a very busy work week for me so I cannot prioritize the video. Happy to chat in the comments though!

This is also a clear departure from the Riviera timeline. Riviera opened in mid-December of 2019, and pricing/points charts info, shortly followed by sales information, was released in late March. With the Disneyland DVC Tower opening in September, we are way far off from the timing experience with Riviera sales.

3 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 13

Pixie Dust PhD

Fantastic deal on WDW tickets!!

Undercover Tourist is running a special now through 11:59 pm ET tomorrow, November 19, where adult Walt Disney World theme park tickets are priced at the child rate. Tickets are valid for travel through December 2023.

Again, purchase by tomorrow night to get the child rate and you can use the tickets through end of 2023. If you have a trip planned next year this is a great way to save some money on tickets! Also Undercover Tourist does have a 365 day refund guarantee. I’ve never used this, but see their website for additional details.

www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/walt-disney-worl…

3 years ago | [YT] | 7

Pixie Dust PhD

Podcast appearance!

I recorded with Justin from The Passholder Lounge podcast this week to talk a bit about life, but mostly about Disneyland Paris! Check it out here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-13-to-disney…

And if you enjoy listening to me ramble in the longer podcast format, check out some of my older appearances:
In May 2022 I was on Theme Park Thursday with ‪@DillosDiz‬ to talk about Disney Vacation Club-- Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/podcasts/theme-park-thursday-wit… or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5qe8...
In June 2021 I was on Theme Park Thursday with Dillo's Diz talking about Disney parks in general, Raya and the Last Dragon, and YouTube/creator stuff in general-- Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/podcasts/theme-park-thursday-wit… or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yq7G...
In December 2020 I was part of the Dillo's Diz's Twitter Ohana spectacular-- Podchaser: www.podchaser.com/podcasts/theme-park-thursday-wit… or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlYuB...
In October 2020 I was on the former podcast called Monday Morning Monorail talking about what's worth splurging on and what you should save on during a Disney parks vacation: www.podchaser.com/podcasts/monday-morning-monorail…

3 years ago | [YT] | 2