Author: Stephen

I'm Stephen Ashley. My wife and I are huge fans of Disney World. I'm the author of Walt Disney World With Disabilities. I also wrote a book called Walt Disney World Made Easy for Everyone, but rather than have it published, at this point we've decided to place all the material from the manuscript on this website so everyone can have access to it! I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it makes your day just a little bit brighter and easier.

Disney World is a wonderful but very strange place to visit for anyone! For those who need a little assistance with adapting to the change in environment, making your own Story Book can be a huge help. Many have used this technique over the years with great success. Creating an appropriate Story Book for your person can completely change the experiences you have while at Disney World. It can prevent melt downs and unwanted behaviors. It can set your family up for a positive experience. One of the members of our Facebook group called Walt Disney World Made Easy for…

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Header Photo by Gillian Fisher Location: In the Magic Kingdom Resort area. Address: 901 Timberline Dr. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Phone: (407) 824-3200 Fax: (407) 824-3232. Parking fee: $25 per night Self-Parking, $33 per night Valet Parking. Check-in: 3 PM. Check-out: 11 AM. Resort Type: Deluxe & Deluxe Villas. Overview of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort As you pull up to the hotel entrance notice that the trees lining the driveway are mostly pines. Disney has taken pains to remove any tropical influence here. The peaceful and beautiful resort is modeled after Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful Lodge circa 1904, though more upscale. The…

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Written By Katie Penn (Header photo by Alexi Michelle Peres and Deron Shackleford) Post Covid Changes Update: The Disney Parks Blog announced that as early as April 18, they will start reintroducing traditional character greetings at Disney World. They said that “while not all locations will be available immediately, we anticipate reopening in phases throughout the spring and early summer.” So this process of restoring interactive character meet & greets could take a while. In the meantime, this article covers everything you’d need to know about characters at Disney World. Hopefully, everything will be restored fully, soon. This article will…

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Disney World has reopened, and we’ve got some answers to questions about the handling of special needs in the parks. Although things can change swiftly at Disney, here’s what’s happening now. Thank you to Autumn Barnes, Gordon LaGrow, Janey Schell, Grace Flanary, and many others in my Facebook group Walt Disney World Made Easy for Everyone for researching and generously sharing! Are masks required, even if there is a disability that makes it difficult to wear one? Anywhere and for as long as Disney is requiring them, then yes. No exemptions. Even if you’re wearing a face shield, a mask…

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With all the changes due to covid-19, you’ll need to make a decision on whether to go to Disney World or not. The following are Disney’s changes. After those, I’ll add my thoughts on who should consider going and who should consider canceling. Now here are Disney’s changes: Update added 1/11/22 – Masks not required outdoors for some time now. According to Disney guests no longer need face coverings when outdoors, but all indoor locations require face coverings. Here’s what Disney says: “Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination…

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Cover photo by Amanda J-c Location: Between the Animal Kingdom area and Hollywood Studios. Address: 1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL., 32830. Phone: (407) 939-1000 Fax: (407) 939-1001. Parking fee: $20 per night. Check-in: 3 PM. Check-out: 11 AM. Resort Type: Moderate. Overview of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort This is Disney’s largest convention center resort, but families enjoy it as well. With 2,385 guest rooms, the resort is themed after Spanish-Colonial Mexico and the American Southwest. This resort is spread out around a beautiful 22-acre lake named Lago Dorado. The resort was named after Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer. He set…

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Disney World can still be fun when it rains. Here’s how you can maximize your rainy day visit. By Katie Penn (Cover photo by Sue Welsh Guindon) This article will look at: Rain in Florida – What to expect Rainy Days in the Parks and Disney Springs – How to have fun anyway Alternative Activities for rainy days Rain in Florida – What to expect when you’re visiting Disney World Probably the most asked question for anyone planning a trip to Walt Disney World is: What will the weather be like? First of all, the caveat for anything to do…

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By Sarah Ashley For decades I’ve used natural alternatives to deal with health issues, so it was natural for me to research when this Coronavirus thing came up. I’ve found some great info coming from various medical professionals, and thought I’d share this with our Disney readers. Keep in mind that what these doctors are suggesting comes with the caveat that there have been no formal tests on COVID-19. However from what I understand, these doctors are planning to use herbs and vitamins that have worked with viruses that have similar structural features and behaviors. This is all speculation and…

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At Disney, you’re going to be around thousands of people from all over the world. While it’s not possible to avoid germs completely, there are some things you can do to minimize exposure, and to keep your immune system as strong as possible. This is true even if you’re generally healthy. For those who are starting off with an impaired immune system, it’s even more important to take precautions. Depending upon how you approach your trip, being at Disney can actually support your immune system or tax it. Relaxation and joy are known to help support the body. Overdoing it…

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Everything you need to know about Disney World’s MagicBand & MagicBand+ wrist bands By Katie Penn & Stephen Ashley In this article we’ll cover the following: What are MagicBands and what is MagicBand+? What do they do? Do I need a MagicBand? How do I get a MagicBand? Personalizing/Accessories for your MagicBand Can I have multiple bands? How do Magic Bands Work? How do I link my MagicBand to My Disney Experience account? And other questions answered… What is a MagicBand and a MagicBand+? ‘MagicBands’ are a form of wearable technology, designed by Walt Disney World to improve guest experiences.…

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If you’re dealing with epilepsy, there’s a lot you can do to ensure you have a great time at Disney World. First a reminder to consult your doctor before going to Disney World to see if he or she can provide any information on how to avoid a seizure with your particular condition. Here are some thoughts and suggestions for you. We spoke with Kay Taylor, a Nurse Practitioner and the Director of Clinical Services in the Pediatric Neurology, Epilepsy Center of Central Florida (www.pediatricneurologypa.com). We’ll share her suggestions as well as some others in this article. Kay had some…

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By Katie Penn & Stephen Ashley Have you thought about visiting Disney World by yourself? More and more often people are finding they have the opportunity to visit by themselves. So what is it like travelling solo? In part 1 of this article we’ll cover: Is it safe to visit Disney World solo? Tips for staying as safe as possible while visiting Disney World In part 2 we’ll cover the following: Is it Fun to visit Disney World solo? What should you expect when you visit Disney on your own? Should you go to Disney World solo? Advantages and disadvantages…

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By Melissa Fraga Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (also called MVMCP) is a special ticketed event offered by Disney each year at Magic Kingdom in Disney World. It usually happens around most of November and December. When it comes to the Christmas season, what better way is there to celebrate than by enjoying a full-blown party with Mickey and his friends? The festival is great for kid and adults as well! Whether you’re looking for an adventure, or enjoying the treats and sights, this party is perfect for the whole family. Let’s dive right into the amazing details of this…

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What are the Disney World Skyliner gondola’s? This is the newest form of transportation to arrive at Disney World. Wikipedia says “A gondola lift is a means of cable transport and type of aerial lift which is supported and propelled by cables from above.”. Disney World guests can ride in small aerial Disney themed Skyliner cars that hang from cables. The Disney World Skyliner system is proving to be a big hit with Disney visitors! Demand has grown for hotels with access. The Disney World Skyliner system went active in the fall of 2019. As with all Disney World transportation…

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By Katie Penn Temporarily during COVID changes, guests must use mobile ordering in order to dine in any park counter service restaurant. You must also pick a time window in which to get your food. You will be given 30 minute intervals to pick from. Want less time waiting in lines at Disney World? Try mobile ordering! Mobile ordering is a tool that Disney has added to make your life easier. It allows you to skip the long lines at selected quick service locations by ordering food in advance, using the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device. It’s…

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