Disney Cruise Line Mom, Andi, gave us a glimpse at the rich Mexican culture her family experienced aboard the Disney Wonder and in the charming towns of Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas on their seven-night voyage to the Mexican Riviera.

In this final video of the series, Andi takes a look back at the highlights of her family’s cruise and offers tips for planning yours. What tips do you have to add?

Tagged: DCL, Disney Wonder, Moms Panel, Video

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Vacation Planning

Are you considering a Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera? Then hopefully you’ve been watching our new video series that gives you a mom’s point of view on Disney Cruise Line’s seven-night voyages to the Mexican Riviera.

Our Disney Cruise Line Mom, Andi, has shared how your family can experience the rich Mexican culture, both onboard and in the charming town of Puerto Vallarta. In this next video Andi shows the fun in the sun her family had in Cabo San Lucas!

Tagged: DCL, Disney Wonder, Moms Panel, Video

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Vacation Planning

Last week we introduced a new video series on sailing to the Mexican Riviera with Disney Cruise Line. These videos take you on the adventures of our Disney Cruise Line Mom, Andi, and her family as they sail aboard the Disney Wonder along the sun-kissed Baja Peninsula.

Here’s a look at the first stop in their journey, the culturally rich town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:

Next stop: sunny Cabo San Lucas!

Tagged: DCL, Disney Wonder, Moms Panel, Video

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Vacation Planning

Whether she is organizing a Disney vacation for hundreds of high school students or a gathering for 50 of her closest loved ones, Walt Disney World Moms Panelist Andrea Houston-Lingman says planning the perfect pixie-dusted vacation is her true passion.

New to the Walt Disney World Moms Panel this year, Andrea is a teacher and busy mom of two whose specialty is helping others learn about Disney vacations with Disney Vacation Club. She has a knack for planning trips with teen travelers in mind and with more than 25 trips to Walt Disney World Resort under her belt, Andrea can answer just about any question you can dream of!

Some of Andrea’s favorite Disney Vacation Club Resorts include Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. She loves Saratoga Springs Resort so much that she even remodeled her bathroom at home to resemble the villa’s bathroom!

Q: What do you recommend for families who are planning their first stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort?
A: Plan ahead! You can get a sense of what each Disney Vacation Club property has to offer just by looking on the website before you go so you will spend less time planning and more time playing once you get there.

Q: What’s a tip for families vacationing with tweens in tow?
A: It depends on your comfort level, but if you have little ones who aren’t ready for the ‘big kid’ rides, splitting into groups for a few hours while you’re at the parks gives your teens or pre-teens a little independence in a safe environment. For example, my 13-year-old daughter brought one of her friends along on our last trip to Walt Disney World and they were allowed to play on their own for two hours before we all met for lunch. Just that little bit of flexibility in the plans made them feel like they had a special part of the vacation that was just for them.

Q: What is your advice for setting up a large group visit to Walt Disney World Resort?
A: This March will mark the sixth year in a row that I’m serving as a chaperone on my school’s senior class trip with more than 400 high school kids. One thing I’ve learned from big groups is that you can’t please everyone but you can still have a great experience. There is something for everyone at Walt Disney World and making sure you sit down with your group before your trip to create a list of everyone’s “must sees” will help you decide what to focus on.

Q: Can you share one of your favorite memories during a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort?
A: There are so many! One of them has to be when my daughter was three years old and we took her, along with my in-laws, to have breakfast with the princesses for the first time. I will never forget watching her meet each princess and then seeing the smiles on her grandparents’ faces. My mother in law cried her eyes out that day!

Want to ask Andrea a question about your next vacation? Visit DisneyWorldMoms.com.

Tagged: DVC, Moms Panel, WDW

Filed: Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World Resort

What can you expect on a Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera?

Through a series of videos, our Disney Cruise Line Mom Andi shows us her family’s experience on a seven-night voyage to the Mexican Riviera.

Check out the first video to see how Mexican culture comes aboard the Disney Wonder!

Tagged: DCL, Disney Wonder, Moms Panel, Video

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Vacation Planning

As a mom, I know moms rely on other parents to get information they can trust, especially when it comes to family fun. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to the first “Disneyland” mom on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel – Amanda Ficili. She and Ari Krell (you’ll meet him later) were selected to be the first panelists to answer guest questions about the Disneyland Resort.

You can tell by Amanda’s smile, this is a girl who likes to have fun – especially at Disney Parks. She grew up on the East Coast and frequently visited Walt Disney World Resort. Now she lives in Northern California and calls Disneyland Resort her “second home.”

Amanda usually visits with her husband and young daughter, a little princess who has inherited her parents’ fascination with Disney magic. She and her husband are self-proclaimed “Disney foodies” and, if you like to shop, Amanda’s your girl for discovering treasures at Downtown Disney.

Q: What’s it like to share your passion for Disneyland with visitors to the Moms Panel?
A: It’s an honor to represent the Disneyland Resort. I believe Disneyland is the ultimate vacation destination. When road-trip time rolls around, it’s a no-brainer … I’m going to Disneyland!

Q: What’s a tip for families visiting from outside Southern California?
A: Staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel keeps the magic alive for your entire visit. You don’t realize what a difference it makes until you’re there. And be sure to enjoy the new pools and spectacular Monorail slide at the Disneyland Hotel.

Q: How can I make a Disneyland vacation more affordable for my family?
A: I have been to Disney on almost every imaginable budget, and I’ve enjoyed every visit. Be sure to always check www.Disneyland.com/offers for current special offers and vacation package deals. Staying steps away from the magic can be more affordable than you may think.

Q: Tell us some of your favorite food topics at Disneyland Resort.
A: There are so many! Romantic dinners at Napa Rose, character dining at the Resort hotels, birthday celebrations, Blue Bayou Restaurant – plus all the special treats.

Tell us what you would ask Amanda at DisneyWorldMoms.com.

Tagged: DLR, Moms Panel

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Vacation Planning

UPDATE: The deadline for booking this “Sixth Night Free” offer has been extended! You may now book anytime through Saturday, Mar. 31 for travel March 1-17 and April 15 – June 9.

Visiting Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on O`ahu, is definitely one of the top benefits of my job. And each time I visit, I’m reminded of how much there is to do at the resort – pools and water slides, restaurants and lounges, entertainment, excursions, Aunty’s Beach House kids club, Laniwai spa, etc., etc.

So how many days do you need to take it all in? If your guess is somewhere in the vicinity of a week, I’ve got news for you. From now through February 29, Aulani is offering a sixth night free, plus daily continental breakfast (in the fun ‘Ōlelo Room lounge), for guests booking a five-consecutive-night stay.

To take advantage of the offer, visit DisneyAulani.com or call toll-free (800) 824-1146 and mention offer code E7D. The offer is available for stays most nights* from March 1 through March 17, 2012, and April 15 through May 31, 2012.

And here, for your enlightenment and enjoyment, is some additional information:
*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes Resort fees and taxes. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or offers. Offer excludes suites and three-bedroom Grand Villas. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than two (2) adults per room. Offer applied once per reservation and not valid for previously booked rooms. Check for offers for other lengths of stay. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and subject to room occupancy limitations. Advance reservations required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Breakfast entitlements expire upon checkout, and are for guests ages 3 and older in the traveling party.

Tagged: Aulani, DVC

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts, Vacation Planning