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Read MoreMeet Mel of Mickey by Mel
You’ve probably figured out that I am Mel and I love Mickey! I thought I would give my readers a little bit of background about me. My name is Melissa Rhodes and I am a stay at home mom to two wonderful children (ages 5 and 7) and I am a Disney Vacation Specialist. Let me guess, your next question is, “What the heck is a Disney Vacation Specialist?” I help busy families plan their dream...
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Read MorePrincess Vacations
Give your little princess the happily ever after she is dreaming about. Your princess is growing up fast so take her to Disney while the magic is still alive and shimmering. And your princess’ dream vacation doesn’t have to be a nightmare for you. I work with you and your budget to maximize the magic without breaking the bank. From finding the perfectly decorated Royal Room to securing dining...
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Read MorePirate Vacations
Do you have a daring little swashbuckler who is ready for his next great adventure? Don’t be left walking the plank, plan your amazing Disney vacation now! Does he dream of sailing with the Pirates, plundering the castle, or even stealing the heart of a Princess? I can help you plan all that and more. Hear him singing,” Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirates life for me,” as he drifts off to sleep in a room...
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Read MoreDisney Dining
Whether you are craving an all-American hot dog, a delicate French pastry, or the exotic flavors of South Africa, you can find it at Disney World. One of my areas of expertise is Disney dining – from where to find the coveted Mickey waffles to choosing a restaurant for a romantic night out – I can help you with every step of your Disney dining experience. Based on your wants, needs and budget I can...
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Read MoreSpecial Events
While there is never a dull moment at Disney World, Mickey and friends do their best to make sure there are lots of special events going on at Disney World throughout the year. For the athletes out there, consider one of the many runDisney events – from Family Fun Runs to a full marathon there is a race for all levels – from beginners to veterans. If you would rather watch the action than be a part of...
Most Recent Articles
Throwback Thursday: The Plaza Swan Boats
On May 20, 1973 Disney World visitors had a new attraction to visit, the Plaza Swan Boats. The Swan Boats operated seasonally and during peak seasons visitors could board one of the 11 (12 were fashioned by one was take out of passenger use) Swan Boats that took them on a 17-minute boat ride past the Swiss Family Treehouse and around the hub...
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Ask Mel Wednesday: Mel’s Resort Report
Recently, the following question came in over on Mickey by Mel on Facebook. Question: Have you stayed at a lot of the resorts? Answer: I have stayed at a good number of the resorts on Disney property. I made my first trip to Disney when you only had two choices – the Contemporary or the Polynesian. For the first 10 years that I visited...
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Tip Time Tuesday: Build excitement for your trip – Countdown Calendars
Today’s tip is ONLY applicable if everyone in your traveling party knows you are going to Disney. If you plan on keeping it a secret from someone – stay tuned, next week’s Tip Time Tuesday is about how to keep it a surprise! There are lots of ways to build excitement about an upcoming Disney trip. Here are just a couple of...
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Magic Mondays: Astro Orbiter
Soaring high above Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom you will find the Astro Orbiter. This ride was not an opening day attraction at Disney World; in fact, Tomorrowland didn’t have many attractions on opening day. In 1974-74 Tomorrowland was finished and much more closely resembles the Tomorrowland of today that we all know and love. In...
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Throwback Thursday: The Orange Bird
This week’s entry in Throwback Thursday is making a comeback – the Florida Orange Bird. The Florida Orange Bird was one of the original ambassadors of Walt Disney World. He was designed to signify the ties of the central Florida region to the citrus industry. Once upon a time you could find him in Adventureland – near the...
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Tip Time Tuesday: Early Risers
Today’s tip is specific to Animal Kingdom. While I am an advocate for getting to all the parks early – at Animal Kingdom there is a reason beyond rope drops and lower crowd levels. The morning is usually cooler than the rest of the day. The cooler temperatures mean more active animals. If you get to Animal Kingdom as soon as the park...
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Ask Mel Wednesday: Is my child too young for Disney?
Question: I am afraid my child is too young for Disney. I don’t know if they will remember or enjoy it. How young is too young for Disney? Answer: The answer is actually a question. At what age are you, as the parent, comfortable taking your child to Disney? If you aren’t comfortable with the idea, it probably isn’t the...
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