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I know it sounds unbelievable. It's doesn't always happen. But contrary to what everyone thinks, it is possible to have a TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, Disney World Vacation... It happened to my friends and boy were they miserable when they got back. The same thing doesn't have to happen to YOU! You can be different. You can have that MAGICAL DISNEY VACATION that you always dreamed about!

Here's what happened to my friends...

They were making their very first vacation trip to Disney World. Dad, mom, and daughter were psyched! They couldn't wait. About 6 months before they went, I told them to speak with me so I could give them some tips and tricks to make the most of their Disney vacation.

I wanted to give them some tips and advice so they would...

• spend less money,
• make the most of their time,
• have a less stressful and
• more enjoyable time in the Vacation Kingdom.

A Personal Note

First, let me say, that my family and I LOVE Disney World! We have been traveling to Orlando and Disney since the early 1980's. My youngest child is now 20 and my oldest is 27. We all had another two-week trip in August of 2006, and stayed right on Disney Property at the Wilderness Lodge, Pop Century and Beach Club.

What is Walt Disney World?

What many people don't realize is that Disney World is one HUGE(!!!) 45 square mile vacation playground with a multitude of different resorts offering various levels of accomodations. There are four separate Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom (what we usually think of when we hear about Disney World), Epcot (a Science and World Fair type-theme), Disney MGM Studios (Movie Theme), and Animal Kingdom. There is so much to choose from, it is very easy to get distracted and not make the most of your valuable vacation time.

Back to my Friends

Well, anyway... my friends didn't take me up on my offer to help and when they returned I could see they were not very happy. They had a terrible time... long lines, hot weather, expensive food, over-priced tickets and a whole lot of stress thrown in for good measure. It turns out that they made some basic mistakes that are not uncommon to Disney World "first-timers".

It doesn't have to happen to YOU!

With some careful planning and advance preparations based on the advice of Disney veterans, the same thing won't happen to you. You can have a wonderful time at Disney World.

Devin Prado is the owner of DisneyValues.com and is an avid fan of all things Disney. For more information on planning your discount Disney World vacation, go to DisneyValues.com where you will find out how to get the most for your money.

Koi are a wonderful addition to your backyard pond. It is relaxing to watch these graceful fish gliding slowly through the water. To live a a long and healthy life, koi need just as much care as any other pet. Koi live an average of 25-35 years, although some have lived much longer. If you want to provide the proper care and environment for your fish, you need to do some research.

Make sure you do your research before you go to buy your koi. Read through books on koi care, browse the internet, and consult with koi experts.

Before you buy your fish, your pond needs to be properly prepared. It has to be big enough for the koi to swim around. A minimum of 1000 gallons, and 18 inches deep is recommended. The koi also need a quiet corner that they can retreat to. It is also advisable to have a number of hiding places for the fish so that they can avoid predators, such as racoons, or your neighbor's cat. The pH of the water should be between 7.5 and 8.5. Make sure that the filter has been running for a while, and that the beneficial bacteria in the pond have had a chance to establish themselves. These bacteria are important for maintaining the chemical balance of your pond once you add the fish.

It is always best to shop for your koi at a specialty store. Be sure too look for healthy fish with clear eyes, no missing scales and erect fins. Many variables affect the price of the fish, including size, pattern, shape, and availability.T Younger fish are usually a lot less expensive than the older and larger fish. Younger fish, about 3-4 inches long will probably cost less than 10 dollars. Older fish, 22-24 inches long can range from $1,200 and up, occasionally ranging up to $10,000. Butterfly koi are more expensive than regular koi due to their long flowing fins.

Be sure to add fish to your pond gradually. If you put in too many, the bacteria won't be able to handle all of the fish waste, and the chemical balance of the pond will be thrown off. Start with just one or two fish, and then after a week or two, go ahead and start adding a few more. Because of their metabolism is slower in the winter, it is best to buy the fish in cooler weather if possible. Koi do just fine in cold water, but you should avoid rapidly fluctuating temperatures. Even though koi are a warm water fish who prefer water temperatures of around 78 - 80 degrees F., they are capable of surviving in freezing cold temperatures and water over 86 degrees F. Deeper ponds are also preferable, so the water underneath the ice would not freeze. If you live in an area where the pond will freeze over, be sure to use a floating heater to keep a hole in the ice.

When the weather changes for the warmer, their metabolisms will speed up. Feeding of koi is quite easy by just feeding them koi pellets which are found online or at a pet store. Make sure to feed them twice a day. With some training, it is even possible to teach koi to eat out of your hand. When the weather and the water temperature start to cool off, you want to gradually reduce the amount of food that you feed the koi. When the water temperature drops to 50 degrees, then you should stop feeding them altogether until spring, when the water warms up again.

Koi will add a brilliant splash of color to your pond. And properly cared for, they will be in your pond for a long time, and provide years of enjoyment.

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