It’s our first official week of summer vacation, so I’m going to keep my post brief and fun. Here’s a great tip this Thursday: when staying at Walt Disney World property, be sure to carve out some time to visit your resort’s fabulous pool(s)! Disney has some of the most fun, unique “watering holes” in the country, and you’ll want to take advantage of them, providing the weather cooperates. Here are a few of our favorites:

the “dragon” pool at Port Orleans French Quarter

Yacht & Beach Club

Ariel at the Piano Pool (All-Star Music)

The Big Blue Pool (Art of Animation)

Grand Floridian

The summer room-only discount that was previously released to Disney Rewards Visa cardholders is now available to the general public. Click here to see details.

A room-only discount has just been released to Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders for summer travel dates June 13 through August 14. (It will be released to the general public on April 2.) The discount offers up to 30% off rack rate of various Resorts throughout Walt Disney World. Generally, it’s 30% off Deluxe and Villas, 20% off Moderates, and 15% off Values, but there are exclusions and restrictions. You must use your Disney Rewards Visa to pay the deposit, and the deal must be booked by June 14. For complete details, click here.

In honor of Fat Tuesday, we’re watching The Princess and the Frog on Blu-ray today and having red beans and rice for dinner! Did you know that you can experience Mardi Gras every day at Walt Disney World? (OK, well, almost.) You can stay at the Mardi Gras-themed Port Orleans French Quarter! While there, you can swim in fabulous pool with a dragon slide, get your photo taken with some clowns, and even stay in a room fit for a princess! Oh, and I almost forgot the best part–you can have cafe au lait and beignets! These are just a few of the reasons that the Port Orleans French Quarter is one of my favorite Moderate Resorts at WDW.

I got a much-overdue haircut yesterday. (Stick with me…there really is a Disney connection.) And each time I go to this lovely salon where I’m offered a beverage (I had Starbucks coffee) and given a complimentary chair massage with your choice of oil (I always go for the blue one), I am somehow transported to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s not the exceptional customer care–although it is exceptional at both locations! It’s the fragrance. The aroma. The scent of…well, I don’t exactly know. The salon uses Aveda products, but the Grand Floridian stocks spa products from H2O. Still, there’s a particular scent that must be in both, and that scent has the power to transport me to paradise.

I had always thought the Disney varieties of these H2O products were exclusive to the Resorts. On our one and only stay at the Grand Floridian, I was careful to tuck these complimentary shampoos, conditioners, etc. away in my suitcase each evening and await fresh, new complimentary bottles each day. I have rationed these tiny bottles, using them mostly when I’m traveling, but occasionally breaking them out when I need a mental or emotional boost. They are THAT powerful…at least for me. But it seems that perhaps I won’t need to be so stingy with them…because I do believe they may actually be the same products sold under the regular H2O label and packaging. For the record, the shampoo is the Sea Marine Revitalizing variety. Here’s what I found:

I haven’t purchased any yet (they are a little pricey for this bargain chick), but if anyone wanted to get me a gift…well, Valentine’s Day is coming up! (I put these sort of things in here to see if my husband ever actually reads my posts…turns out he usually doesn’t.) Still, when my tiny bottles run dry, at least I know where to find more. I might just pour it into the tiny bottles and pretend I’m still on vacation at the Grand Floridian. It takes a bit of imagination, but it almost works.

OK, let me first apologize for being a total slacker. The truth is, I’ve been busy as a bee and trying to enjoy what little free time we have with my family. But because of this, I have totally neglected Affording the Mou$e. I’ll do my best to catch you up on the major happenings around the World in this post. First, here is some info on a room-only discount that released to the general public this week (after a brief offering to Disney Visa Cardholders first):

• Discounts vary from 15 to 30% off regular rack rates at Disney World Resorts, for travel dates from February 18 through June 24, with blackout dates March 24 through April 1. The deal must be booked by March 7.
• In general, it appears that most Deluxe Resorts offer 30% off, with most Moderates offering 25% off, and Values offering 20% off. The family suites at Art of Animation are 15% off. That said, there are some resorts excluded (or offered at a lower percentage off) and not all dates are available for all resorts.
• You can add the meal plan and tickets for even greater savings.

And now, on to an update of closures and refurbishments:

Magic Kingdom

• Splash Mountain has closed for a lengthy refurbishment and will reopen on March 20.
• The Mad Tea Party will be closed January 7 through February 18.
• The Main Street Bakery has closed and will re-open sometime this summer as a Starbucks location. Have no fear–they will continue to offer many of the yummy pastries we all love.
• The Liberty Square Riverboat will close for a brief refurbishment February 1-7.

Epcot

• The Character Spot remains closed through February. Temporary meet-n-greet locations have been set up. Consult the Times Guide or ask a Cast Member for the location of your favorite characters.
• Fountain View will close in March and re-open this summer as a Starbucks location.
• Habit Heroes remains closed in Innoventions, but there are rumblings that it could reopen this month.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Beauty and the Beast will be closed January 7-12 for a brief refurbishment.
• Disney Junior, Live on Stage! closes January 14 through February 14.

Animal Kingdom

• Kali River Rapids will be closed January 6 through February 15 (but who really wants to ride that in the winter, anyhow?).
• Mr. Kamal’s is closed January 6-26.
• Beastly Bazaar remains closed, as it is being re-themed as a meet-n-greet, with no re-opening date given.

And, finally, a contest. Log onto www.disneytimesweeps.com and enter every day between now and January 31 for a chance to win a Walt Disney World vacation. They’re giving away one every day!