Written by AAA Travel Disney specialist Fay Dallas.

I remember Sunday nights, waiting in anticipation for Tinker Bell to appear with that wonderful wand that would cover my television screen with shades of magical color.  Fast forward to the present.  This time the color wasn’t on a small solid screen, but rather on moving water, waving in rhythm to wonderful music, interjected with fire, as the World of Color premiered at Disneyland Resort in Southern California.  What a rush!... Read More

Through August 14, members who book a five-night AAA Vacations Walt Disney World Resort package with a six-day Magic Your Way base ticket and a stay at a moderately or higher-priced resort hotel will receive the Disney Dining Plan free. Members who stay at a value resort receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan free.

The offer is valid for most stays August 15 through October 2. It also is available for other resort hotels. Additionally, all AAA Vacations packages include special and exclusive member benefits. For details, call or visit your local AAA office or go to AAA.com/Disney.

 Travel news from around the web ...

Disney to Begin Construction on New Hotel
The company plans to break ground this summer on the Art of Animation Resort, a 2,000 - room 'value hotel' similar to Disney's Pop Century and All-Star Resorts. The property will be the first new hotel for Disney in seven years.  Full article at WESH.com
... Read More

A week at a Disney resort is a week away from the ordinary, even if it is ‘part of the job.’ In this three-part series, blogger Tony Mayer, a travel counselor for AAA Washington, shares the knowledge gained after a familiarization trip to Disney World in Florida.

Walt Disney’s enduring love for animals and their protection was finally and spectacularly made manifest with the 1998 opening of Disney World's Animal Kingdom. This jewel of a theme park, Disney’s largest single park worldwide, is now my favorite of the four in Florida for several reasons.... Read More

A week at a Disney resort is a week away from the ordinary, even if it is ‘part of the job.’ In this three-part series, blogger Tony Mayer, a travel counselor for AAA Washington, shares the knowledge gained after a familiarization trip to Disney World in Florida.

The second park I visited was Disney's Hollywood Studios, a slice of Tinseltown transplanted to the East Coast that opened in 1989 and was known as ... Read More

It seemed like an ordinary room. Well, not completely ordinary. I sat in a warehouse-like building in California’s San Fernando Valley, dining with a handful of other journalists in a mock-up of Animator’s Palate, one of the dining rooms being created for Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream, ... Read More

A week at a Disney resort is a week away from the ordinary, even if it is ‘part of the job.’ In this three-part series, blogger Tony Mayer, a travel counselor for AAA Washington, shares the knowledge gained after a familiarization trip to Disney World in Florida.

Florida’s Walt Disney World is massive – 43 square miles (twice as large as Manhattan), four theme parks, three championship golf courses, two water parks, 22 company-owned resorts (plus nine on-property resorts run by other companies), all totaling hundreds of dining, shopping and entertainment options. Planning can be a daunting task … once you remember you can’t see it all in one visit, you’re golden!... Read More

 From the Q&A mailbox:

Question:  Candy asks, Is there a AAA parking area at Disney World?

Answer: Nancy Woodard, AAA Disney expert, answers: AAA Diamond Parking provides preferred parking in convenient spaces at all four Walt Disney World Orlando theme parks.... Read More

Need Magic? If so, join us the evening of January 19 from the comfort of your home for AAA’s Virtual Travel Show. January is Disney Month at AAA Travel and if you’ve never attended an online travel show, you’ll find it interesting, especially the chance to chat with AAA Disney experts about the latest info and specials on all Disney vacations - Disney Cruise Line®, Walt Disney World® Resort, Adventures by Disney and the Disneyland® Resort. Go to AAA.com/virtualshows to find out more and read... Read More

When I told everyone I was headed to Disney World, their first reaction was “You and Greg are going to love it!” “No, no” I said “I’m going alone.” The confused expressions said it all. Why the heck would a married adult with no history of Disney fanaticism go to Disney World alone? Well, I wanted to go, my husband didn’t, and I was already going to be in Orlando. In other words, why not?

The first bonus of solo travel that I found was that I could afford to make my dining reservations at much nicer restaurants. You can afford a more expensive meal if you only have to feed one person... Read More