MyMagic+: Wonderful convenience or scary invasion of privacy?

Disney is making big waves with its announcement of MyMagic+--a program that merges an interactive website and mobile app with an all-purpose electronic bracelet. This "magic" bracelet acts as a guest’s room key, theme-park ticket and payment tool all in a single device. The bracelets, dubbed MagicBands, will also track which rides visitors use, which characters they interact with, where they go and what they buy within the park.

According to Disney, the perks of the program include unparalleled convenience and a more personalized experience (imagine Mickey or Minnie greeting your child by name, or a ride employee knowing where you're from as you approach the platform). However, according to some experts, the program has more benefits to Disney than to its customers. They cite the massive quantities of data that Disney will be collecting about those wearing the "magic" bracelet. Using powerful analytics, Disney will be able to transform all that raw data into powerful information about the effectiveness of its offerings, pricing, product placement, and much more.

And privacy experts are flat-out worried; one called the entire program a "slippery slope" that could contribute to an entire generation considering such tags "normal." Others assert that the bracelets will lead consumers to spend even MORE time and money at the Disney parks.

The program, which is supposed to roll out this spring, will be optional. After reading several of the articles, I'm not sure we'll be signing on for this program. While it would be a sweet moment to have a character greet our daughter by name, I just don't like the idea of her being "tracked" and monitored by Disney. Part of the magic of vacation is getting away--and getting a little "lost" in the action. I'm not sure you can do that when an inventory tag is strapped to your wrist.

No high-tech bracelets--just lots of space at an affordable price
If you're planning a trip to Disney and Central Orlando, consider our four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse at Regal Palms Resort. It's just minutes from Disney...and we don't monitor your whereabouts. ;-)

Disney: What do YOU collect?

If you've been to Walt Disney World, you know there's never a shortage of treasures to collect. Lanyards full of tradeable pins... empty autograph books just waiting to be filled... funky mouse ears... and the latest craze: Vinylmations.

One diehard Disney blogger has published a great post explaining this latest craze.

While our young daughter is still working on her pin, autograph and mouse ear collections, we're going to check out the Vinylmation figurines the next time we're in the House of the Mouse!

If you're planning a family vacation to Orlando, check out our privately owned four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse at Regal Palms Resort. We're fully booked in February, with  March and April filling fast. If you're interested, give Susan a call today at 1-888-353-6600!

When will you get to see Disney's new-and-improved Fantasyland?

The Internet is abuzz with excitement about the new-and-improved Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

When we stayed in our Regal Palms Resort townhouse in November, we had the pleasure of checking out several of the new attractions--including the all-new Little Mermaid ride and the larger (and more efficient) Ariel's Grotto. We also got to meet other mainstay characters in the Big Top Souvenirs tent.

It's amazing how Disney can take something great...and make it even better!

If you and your family would like to visit Walt Disney World and you're looking for spacious and affordable accommodations just minutes from Magic Kingdom, take a closer look at our privately owned townhouse at Regal Palms Resort.

Three Orlando attractions make the 2013 "must see" list!

Are you a roller coaster junkie? Do you love high-tech special effects? Are you passionate about movies and entertainment? If so, chances are that you LOVE amusement parks. And you'd be hard pressed to find an area with more--or better--theme parks than Orlando! The parks are the primary reason that millions of people vacation in Central Florida every year. (The warm, sunny weather doesn't hurt, either...)

When we stay at our townhouse at Regal Palms Resort, we always make sure to visit at least one theme park. Walt Disney World. Sea World. Universal Studios. Even Busch Gardens in Tampa. There are so many choices. According to Behind the Thrills, the choices are about to get even better: Orlando has THREE new attractions on the "must-see" list for 2013!

Beyond the Thrills cites these new Orlando-area attractions as can't-miss choices for 2013:

• The $40 million, two-phase expansion of Fun Spot America (watch for the first phase to open in March of this year)
• Transformers--The Ride, which has been a huge hit at the Universal Studios Hollywood park, is coming to Universal Studios Orlando this summer
• Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins is coming to Sea World--marking the largest expansion in the park's history (get ready to say "Brrrrr" in the Spring of 2013!)

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or a Mickey Mouse fanatic, Regal Palms Resort offers a great "home base" for you and your family and friends. Four bedrooms. Three full baths. Washer and dryer. Full kitchen. Plus TVs in every bedroom.

If you'd like to learn more about Susan and Steve's vacation villa, visit our website or call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600.

Regal Palms guests: Looking for good eats in Orlando?

If you've stayed at Regal Palms Resort, you know there are plenty of restaurants in close proximity. You can practically walk to Applebee's, Mia Pizza, Sunday's Fish & Chips, and a Chinese takeout place. On down the road--on the 192 corridor--you'll find just about every chain restaurant known to man. (Speaking of which, if you love salads, don't miss Sweet Tomatoes!)

For many families, such eateries are more than enough. But if you're a true "foodie" and would like to sample some of Orlando's off-the-beaten-path cuisine, you may want to read Orlando Weekly's great round-up of some of the city's newest restaurants, including:

• Peperoncino Cucina
• Spork Cafe
• Fresh
• Cask & Larder
• Galopin

We're putting these restaurants on our list for our next visit to our townhouse at Regal Palms Resort in Davenport! If you'd like to learn more about staying in our four-bedroom townhouse, call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600.

Bringing baby to Disney?

Will you be bringing a wee one on your trip to Walt Disney World and the other Orlando/Central Florida attractions? Even with diapers, wipes and bottles in tow, your family can have a wonderful time!

For tips on navigating Walt Disney World with a baby, you might want to read this terrific post from a seasoned "Disney Mom." In it, she provides some great recommendations on can't-miss rides, as well as a helpful pointer about "parent swaps." Since my hubby doesn't do rides, we never had to inquire about such options. He always looked after the baby while I had the fun! ;-)

While it's been a number of years since our daughter was a baby, we still vividly remember how much we appreciated the space, washer and dryer, and full kitchen in our Regal Palms Resort townhouse. It's AWESOME to be able to stock your own milk and snacks...wash baby's clothes, bibs and burp cloths while the stains are fresh...and put baby to bed in a private room so that Mom, Dad and older kids and adults are able to relax with their own conversations, favorite games and TV shows. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Regal Palms Resort is close not only to Walt Disney World, but also Universal Studios and Sea World!

If you're planning a trip to Central Florida, take a look at our Regal Palms Resort townhouse. And if you'll be flying to Orlando--and will need some key pieces of baby gear--check out our older post about A Baby's Best Friend. It can be a great resource!

Have more questions?
If you'd like more info about our Regal Palms Resort townhouse, call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600.

Regal Palms Resort: A great surprise, too!

Yesterday was Christmas, and for those who celebrate, there were probably lots of great surprises. We found this hilarious (and heart-warming) roundup of videos of children being surprised with a trip to Disney.

It got us thinking...and reminded us of some of the great surprises that await you at Regal Palms Resort:

1) Proximity. Although Regal Palms Resort is tucked into a quiet and peaceful residential area, it's just 15 to 20 minutes from the main gates of Disney World. So you can enjoy some true "downtime" and still visit Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and the crew quickly and easily.

2) Price. Whether you're a family of four, a family of four plus Grandma and Grandpa, or two families with four adults and four kids, you'll have plenty of space and privacy when you stay at a Regal Palms Resort townhouse. You'll also have the benefit of a washer and dryer and a full kitchen--so you can pack lighter (and save on baggage fees) and eat a few meals "in" (and save on restaurants!).

The pool at Regal Palms Resort

3) Pool. You'd never know it to drive down Sand Mine Road and pass Regal Palms Resort. But behind the clubhouse is a tropical oasis. Grown-ups love the tiki bar and abundance of sunbeds. Kids love the water slide. And everyone enjoys the lazy river!

Ready to learn more? Visit the website about our vacation villa at Regal Palms Resort, and then give Susan a call toll-free at 1-888-353-6600 to learn more.