• 05Jul

    Disney Dining In Florida

    Disney Vacation, WDW No Comments

    All Walt Disney World Resorts are fabulous places to visit, but they are also amazing places to dine. Whether it be a quick snack or a full gourmet dinner, you will not be disappointed by the choice and quality of fare that Disney has to offer.

    Each theme park, water park and resort area has a vast selection of eateries for you to sample and enjoy, and as you would expect, depending upon your budget, you can eat for just a few bucks, or really push the boat out and savour the delights of five star cuisine.

    Many of Disney’s restaurants are “themed”, and these are incredibly popular with the kids. Likewise, character dining experiences (aimed at younger members of your party, but enjoyed by all) are often the highlight of a child’s day. Well what could be better when eating your meal than to be served by Mickey, Donald, Pluto, or maybe even a real life Disney princess ? Of course character dining also allows you to capture some magical photographic memories too.

    All to often, people get the impression that theme park food is going to be unhealthy food. Admittedly, there is fast food available in the form of burgers, hot dogs and fries, but you will also be pleasantly surprised to discover that the alternatives are indeed exceedingly healthy, and downright tasty too.

    Our vegetarian friends are also well catered for, along with guests who have special dietary requirements, or those who cannot eat certain foods because of religious beliefs. Full details of the contents of all meals served on Disney property can be found by simply asking the cast member who takes your order.

    And whilst a lot of food served throughout Disney parks is essentially “American” cuisine, a visit to Epcot World Showcase for example, will give you the opportunity to experience a vast selection of foods from around the world, ranging from Chinese, to French and even little known Norwegian delicacies, to name but a few.

    Each Disney park that you visit has it’s own map so that you can find your way around. Clearly marked on these maps, and divided into categories are the dining experiences offered to tempt your taste buds.

    So whether it be a full service restaurant, character dining, a quick takeaway or a healthy fresh green salad, you will find it all at Disney. The service is, as with all things Disney, friendly and polite, and it’s great to know that when those hunger
    pangs strike, that you will be well catered for, in every sense of the word.

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  • 05Jul

    How To Find Cheap Disney Tickets

    Disney Vacation No Comments

    Did you know that there are plenty of opportunities out there for cheap Disney tickets? Many people do not realize that they do have the ability to get a great price on these theme parks. If you take a bit of time, though, you really can find a good deal. There are several things you need to consider here. Tickets for the park’s admission, discounts on hotels and lodging, and discounts on food are three areas that you can save a great deal if you invest a bit of time in finding them.

    To find any discounts on any or all of these products, consider these options.

    • Sign up for websites that sponsor notifications, discount travel and other opportunities. You will be surprised to learn that Disney almost always has something great happening in the way of discounts. Being aware of what is happening is essential.

    • Family packs. You can often save a great deal of money on Disney tickets by working with family packs. There are also season tickets that are quite beneficial if you plan to make it down to the parks more than one time per year. Consider these if they fit your specific needs.

    • Deals galore! Disney has plenty of great deals in line for those that want them. For example, if you go during the off season times, even just a few weeks after school is back in session, you can save thousands of dollars with things like dining packages that are free (yes, you eat free the time that you are there!) and discounts on lodging.

    • Work with a highly skilled and honest travel agent. The good news is that Disney employs many of these Disney specific agents. That means that they are not going to be telling you about all the expensive stuff, but they will work with you to get you the best deals and the cheap Disney tickets you are after. They can often tell you when you should go, how to go, and help you to find discounts to match all that you are doing while you are there.

    Learning how to save on your Disney vacation happens when you spend the time researching what you want to do and how you will do it. You can save money on admission tickets simply by knowing when is the right time to travel. You can save money on your airline tickets, your lodging, and your meals. For example, if you plan to stay at the Disney resort, you may qualify for a package deal that drastically lowers the cost. If you plan to stay off of the resort itself, you may be able to save on things such as transportation and lodging.

    Take the time to learn what is offered to you. You will quickly see that there are plenty of options available to those that are considering a great vacation without spending a whole lot of their cash just to walk in the door. Being flexible and doing your online research will save you in the long run.

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  • 05Jul

    Five Essential Disney Vacation Tips

    Disney Vacation, Disneyland, WDW No Comments

    (CNN) — A trip to Walt Disney World usually conjures up images of summer vacation, but it turns out late fall is the perfect time to go.

    Consider scheduling your trip during the period just after Thanksgiving and up until about December 20, said Bob Sehlinger, co-author of the recently released “The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2011.”

    You’ll be there after the peak season rush and just before the Orlando, Florida, mega-attraction fills up again for the holidays.

    “The parks all have their Christmas decorations up, and they’re just absolutely stunning. The crowds are at their lowest all year, and it’s historically a very dry and sunny and warm time of year,” Sehlinger said.

    There are downsides, too, such as earlier closing hours and possibly having to pull the kids out of school for a bit if you’re going as a family. Still, it’s Sehlinger’s favorite time to go and he should know.

    The author has been to Disney World countless times since publishing his first unofficial guide to the park in 1985.

    He began compiling the books after a frustrating experience to which many theme park visitors can relate: He took his kids to Disney World, paid a lot of money and ended up standing in line all day while getting to see only five or six attractions.

    So Sehlinger worked on a plan. With a background in operations research, he came up with a model designed to sequence going through the parks while minimizing waiting in line, he said.

    These days, more than 20 people work on his unofficial guide, including a statistician, a child psychologist and teams of hotel inspectors.

    The author offered the following five tips for travelers looking to get the most out of their Disney World vacation in the fall or at any time of the year.

    1. Prepare physically

    Many people don’t realize that a vacation in a big theme park will require them to walk an average of eight miles a day as they go from ride to ride, so visitors need to make sure they have the stamina to do it, Sehlinger said.

    “You can’t take a family of couch potatoes — and particularly you can’t take young children and just get them up at the crack of dawn and run them through a theme park eight or nine miles without them crashing on you,” Sehlinger said.

    He recommends taking walks around your neighborhood two or three months before your trip and extending them to a point where your kids can walk six or seven miles without being unduly fatigued.

    2. Prepare mentally

    Avoid family conflicts by talking about what you expect out of your Disney vacation.

    “Let’s say mom is the primary caregiver at home and she has it in her mind that ‘this is my break,’ and dad is really going to take on the heavy lifting as far as the parenting is concerned,” Sehlinger said.

    “And dad is thinking, ‘I’m going to get these people off to the theme park and go play golf.’ So you end up down there with some sort of a dissonant situation that creates problems.”

    Division of labor, the challenges of parenting on the road, unusual amounts of togetherness and the effects of hyperstimulation on your children are all things to discuss before you go.

    3. Less is more

    Move getting your money’s worth off the radar and focus instead on having the most fun possible, which can usually be accomplished if you don’t push too hard and if you build rest and relaxation into your planning.

    “You’re going to be at a juncture at some point in time, probably sooner than later, where you’re saying, ‘OK, we’ve got four more rides we’ve got to do and then we can go back to the hotel.’ Well, that’s crazy. You’re not listening to what your emotions and your body are telling you and you’re not enjoying yourself,” Sehlinger said.

    If you visit during the peak summer months, he suggested going to the park in the morning when it’s cool and not too crowded, then leaving before lunch and returning again at about 4 p.m.

    Pace yourself and remember that if you don’t see everything this time, you can go back next year or the year after.

    4. Bring your own snacks

    Dining is expensive inside the park, even for basic items such as hot dogs and soda.

    You’re allowed to bring food with you, so equip yourself and your kids with hip packs and bring along bottled water, sandwiches or trail mix, which will save you money and time standing in line at restaurants and food stands, Sehlinger said.

    5. Stay in a hotel outside the park or rent a house

    There are so many hotel rooms inside the resort that many of the chain hotels nearby are struggling to find customers, which means there are bargains to be had if you’re willing to stay off property, Sehlinger said.

    There are also thousands of rental homes in the Orlando area, and they’re great deals, he added.

    For the price of two rooms at Disney’s least expensive resort, you can get a four-bedroom house “with a full living room, kitchen, private enclosed swimming pool and all the privacy and quiet in the world where you can really get away from the hustle and bustle,” Sehlinger said.

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  • 03Jul

    Downtown Disney Recreation

    Disney Vacation, Disney World, Uncategorized No Comments

    Boat Rentals

    Located at Cap’n Jack’s Marina, you can rent a personal watercraft and explore the Village Lake. There are Sea Raycer’s for one to two guests which can be rented for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, Canopy Boats for up to 8 guests and Pontoon Boats that can hold a maximum of 10, both of which can be rented for either 30 or 60 minutes. Specialty Cruises and Bass Fishing Excursions are also available from this location. When renting watercraft you must be 18 or over and present either a Walt Disney World Resort ID or valid driver’s license. Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-PLAY, by touching 57 on a Walt Disney Resort phone or at the marina.

    Classic Carousel

    Handcrafted in Italy, this carousel has two carriages and 19 horses. There is a minimum height of 42″. Children not meeting this requirement must be accompanied by an adult.

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  • 03Jul

    Downtown Disney Shopping

    Disney Vacation, Disney World, Uncategorized No Comments

    If you’re looking to shop for all things “Disney” or just want a break from the theme parks, the Marketplace is a terrific destination. There’s a great selection of shops and restaurants located here. All of the Walt Disney World resorts offer transportation to Downtown Disney.

    The best time to visit Downtown Disney is during the day. As evening approaches, be prepared for crowds, particularly on weekends. Operating hours for the common areas at Downtown Disney Marketplace are 8:00 am – 1:00 am.

    Basin – Bath & Facial Products

    This is bit off the beaten path and towards the rear of the World of Disney store. Featuring natural skin and bath products. There are wonderful hand cut soaps, bath crystals and salts, shampoo bars, scented candles, etc. Visitors are encouraged to try out the products with the testers found throughout the shop. This shop can be potent with all the varieties of smells.

    Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

    For all those little girls dreaming of being a Disney Princess, this latest addition to the World of Disney is the perfect fit. More of a salon than a store, there are 10 salon stations where girls can get their hair, nails and makeup done. A second Boutique is located at Cinderellla’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Reservations are strongly recommended. The number to call is: 407-WDW-STYLE.

    The Art of Disney

    Whether you’re a collector of Disney Memorabilia and artwork or not, this Downtown Disney shop is worth a visit. There’s a vast collection of limited edition Sericels, lithographs, original paintings, sculptures, collectible figurines including the Walt Disney Classics Collection, crystal, Lenox, etc. The range of prices makes this appealing to both the serious collector and those wanting something special on a modest budget.

    Disney’s Days of Christmas

    The Days of Christmas is a must see shop at anytime of the year, but make certain that you visit during the Holiday season. You can find a wide variety of Disney character ornaments, Santa hats and Christmas stockings. The more collectible items include the Disney Village pieces, Christopher Radko ornaments, Disney Railroad Train Sets, Snowbabies, and the Walt Disney World Showcase Collection. This store has an extensive selection of Christmas movies and books, including The Polar Express and Jolly Old Santa Clause. The traditional glass Mickey head, in an array of colors and themes, can be personalized for just $3.00 per word. Holiday goodies such as cocoa, coffee, cookies and peppermint bark are also found here. If you celebrate the Festival of Lights check out the Disney Hanukkah decorations and the large selection of blue and white ornaments. The small section of non-Disney ornaments includes glass Santas, snowmen, birds, the Fleur de lis, and Christmas pickles. Decorations for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Easter can also be found here seasonally.

    Disney’s Pin Traders

    This open air shop is where you’ll find almost every Disney pin imaginable. There are hundreds of pins displayed by themes as well as Limited Editions. Pin trading sessions are also hosted here. Even if you’re not into collecting pins, it’s always fun to look through the selection of pins. Pins are an inexpensive souvenir.

    Disney Design-A-Tee

    Design, customize and personalize your own Hanes tee shirt. This store has several large user friendly computers that will walk you through the entire design process. First you choose the size and and the color of the shirt you want. Depending on the size you choose, the variety of color may be limited. Then your select your art from several Disney categories, such as Celebrations, Characters, Princesses, Tinker Bell, Pirates, Pixar, Disney Films, and Holidays. The final step in the design process is personalizing your tee with custom text. There are several fonts, styles, and colors that you can choose from. When you’re done you print out your ticket, pay, and then come back in about 30 minutes to pick it up.

    Goofy’s Candy Company

    A fantastic interactive candy shop that’s certain to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether or not you have a sweet tooth, you have to visit Goofy’s Candy Company in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Its so much more than a candy store. It’s bright and colorful, as you’d expect. There are rows and rows of self serve bins where you can get treats at $2.98 a quarter pound. (A limited selection of sugar free candies are available.) There are pre-packaged candies and novelties for sale as well as glass displays filled with tempting confections.

    LEGO Imagination Center

    Almost every type of Lego is available here. From the simplest set of blocks to the latest kits, clothing and games, you’re bound to find something for all ages at this store. Outside of the shop is a 3,000 square foot play zone. There are amazing Lego creations found around the shop, including a “sea serpent” in the lake. This is a great photo spot.

    Marketplace Fun Finds

    Located next to Little Miss Matched, this shop offers some great values. Everything is less than $25 and is a great place to pick up some gifts and souvenirs.

    Mickey’s Pantry

    This store features Mickey-themed culinary items, such as dinnerware, waffle irons, and coffee mugs. A recent addition to Mickey’s Pantry is a section called “The Spice & Tea Exchange”. This is a collection of a variety of spices, teas, sea salts, rice, platters and 12 naturally infused organic sugars.

    Once Upon a Toy Store

    This store is for the child and the child at heart. The exterior appears to be constructed out of Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. Every Disney themed toy imaginable is featured here. There are incredible displays including the Monorail system in miniature. All of Disney’s DVDs currently available for sale can be found here. In addition to an extensive display, there’s a binder that contains the full listing of 300+ titles.

    Rainforest Cafe Shop – Adjacent to the Rainforest Cafe. A full line of Rainforest themed merchandise including clothing, mugs, jewelry, private label condiments, postcards, toys, candy, mugs, etc.

    Team Mickey Athletic Club

    The perfect shop for the sports enthusiast. Disney themed sportswear for virtually all sports including golf apparel and accessories, athletic jerseys and footwear, ESPN brand merchandise and a limited selection of sports memorabilia. There are wonderful Disney themed bowling balls that are sure to make you a league standout. You can find a large selection of sports gear with your favorite College or Professional team. Rawlings Making The Game shop is where you can purchase customized baseball bats, ball and mitts.

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  • 01Jul

    Dining & Entertainment Around Town

    Disney Vacation, Uncategorized No Comments

    CityWalk is the place to be. With cocktails, meals, after-dinner drinks, dancing, romantic spots and family-friendly establishments, there are entertainment options for everyone. Exciting themed-restaurants, cuisine from Italy, the Caribbean, New Orleans, Central and South America, burgers and fries, late-night drinks – it’s all available at CityWalk.

    The Groove ℠ :It’s a different experience every night at this packed club, where you can dance to house, trance, techno and the best in 70’s and 80’s and hits. DJ nightly with occasional appearances by live performers. Please note cover charge, must be 21 and older; casual chic attire.

    Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom ℠ (21 and older after 9 p.m.):A one-of-a-kind celebration of music and culture, this open-air veranda and courtyard modeled after the reggae legend’s Kingston home features Jamaican-influenced appetizers, entrees and desserts.

    Latin Quarter ™ (18 and Older): Festive dining, dancing and live entertainment. Enjoy authentic delicacies and drinks of Central America, South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean in this dramatic restaurant whose unique décor is influenced by Aztec, Incan, and Mayan architecture. Menu favorites include pork, black beans, yellow rice, plantains and flan, as well as a full bar.

    Pat O’ Brien’s ®:An authentic reproduction of New Orleans’ favorite watering hole, Pat O’Brien’s is the original home of dueling pianos, the “flaming fountain” patio, and the world-famous “Hurricane®” specialty drink. Cajun style appetizers, entrees, and desserts are served in the main bar, courtyard, and terrace level. Entrees include catfish fillets, jambalaya, shrimp Creole, and wings.

    Jimmy Buffet’s ® Margaritaville ®:Enjoy a cheeseburger in paradise in this world-famous haunt. Its three bars are themed around Jimmy Buffet songs, and every corner of this restaurant brings to life a different Buffet classic. The full menu also features a unique combination of Key West and Caribbean foods, including conch fritters and key lime pie.

    CityWalk’s Rising Star: For Glee and American Idol fans everywhere! Take center stage as the band’s lead singer at this fun karaoke club with real music played live in front of real people!

    Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. ™ :Inspired by the 1994 Oscar-winning film “Forrest Gump,” this showcase shrimp eatery is also known for its fresh fish, salads, ribs and much more.

    Emeril’s ® Restaurant Orlando: Voted the city’s “ #1 restaurant at a theme park” by Orlando Magazine. Enjoy lunch, dinner or Happy Hour at this smartly casual restaurant featuring the delicious creations from Chef Emeril Lagasse.

    Hard Rock Café ®:Good old-fashioned burgers, fries and fun can be found in this popular chain restaurant, where music memorabilia mixes perfectly with great food.

    NASCAR ® Sports Grille:Fill up on ribs, pasta and sandwiches at this high-end sports bar with tableside plasma screens to enjoy the day’s races and games. The restaurant also features a NASCAR Gear store which carries officially licensed merchandise.

    NBA City: The country’s finest chefs combine talent and teamwork to present a delicious array of starters, salads, sandwiches, pasta and pizza, entrees and desserts in this restaurant that brings guests back to the classic sports arenas of the 1940s and 50s.

    Pastamoré ℠ Ristorante & Market:Enjoy Southern Italian cuisine in this open-kitchen restaurant. Bustling with atmosphere, come here for a complete meal or lighter fare at its companion, the Marketplace Café.

    Red Coconut Club ®: Hip, retro nightclub and lounge modeled after a Cuban oasis in the swinging 60s. Gourmet appetizers served; live house band/DJ. Please note there is a cover charge to enter.

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  • 29Jun

    What to Bring to Disney World

    Disney Vacation, Featured, Uncategorized No Comments

    Check the weather forecast for the dates you’re visiting Orlando and pack appropriate attire – a poncho or an umbrella, or on the other hand, a misting fan and sunscreen, will come in handy for various weather.

    Make sure to pack as many necessities now, rather than shopping for them at Disney World later. Why? You’ll spend more money on simple items like diapers in the Disney area than you will at home. Same goes for Mickey Mouse merchandise and autograph books. Don’t let you or a loved one fall victim to Disney World inflation!

    Other great items to have on hand are Disney area restaurant menus, park maps and guides, a camera (with batteries), good walking shoes, and a light tote bag.

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