The Magic of a Disney World Vacation

On a recent trip to Disney World I grabbed the popular turkey leg and just sat on a bench to “people watch”.  Ask any Disney Cast Member and this is usually one of the “attractions” at the Disney Theme Parks.  It helps you see what really happens to the guests during their days at the Disney Theme Parks.  As I was sitting there I started thinking about growing up and visiting Disney World as a kid.  I could remember many of my fun Disney World vacations with my family.  I started thinking about favorite presents that I got growing up and I could not really think of any presents.  In our lives the memories tend to be what we remember, not as much things.  I could not remember a single present, but I could remember many great memories of my Disney World vacations growing up.

When thinking about a way to remember a birthday, consider a Disney World vacation instead of a party with presents.  Make a birthday to remember with Mickey Mouse!  Click here for birthday party freebies at Disney World.

Universal Studios Florida Kids Free Vacation

For a limited time, Universal Studios Florida is offering a new discount package called Kids Free Vacation for vacations through September 30.  If you book a Universal Studios vacation for 4 nights or longer, save up to 30% off your Universal Studios Hotel.  Plus, get (1) free child 2-Park Unlimited Pass for every adult in your room.  To make this promotion even better, kids eat free for lunch and dinner with a paid adult entree.  This discount package is available at Royal Pacific Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios.  This discount package is available for summer vacations through September 30, but you do have to book your vacation with a deposit before July 31.  Click here for more details.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Cabin Updates

One of our favorite resorts at Walt Disney World is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort near Magic Kingdom Park.  This resort has more resort amenities than any other Disney Resort including Chip and Dale Campfire Singalong, archery, trail rides, hayrides, and so much more.  It is a great resort with lots of fun for the entire family.  Disney’s Fort Wilderness including campsites and Cabins that you can book for your Disney World vacation.  The Cabins are a great room for a family up to 6 people.  The Cabin is a private Cabin just for your family including a deck with a picnic table and BBQ grill.  Inside there are two rooms with a bedroom with a Queen Bed and bunkbeds.  The living room features a couch and pull down Murphy Bed.  You also can enjoy a fully equipped kitchen.  The Cabins have recently been updated with new furniture, carpet, curtains and bedding.  Here are some new pictures of these updates.

For more information, contact our Disney Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel.

Walt Disney World is StormReady

Planning your Disney World vacation during hurricane season, you can feel safe knowing that Disney World is StormReady.  The National Weather Service has recognized the Walt Disney World Resort for their leadership in emergency management as a StormReady community.

The StormReady program helps community leaders and emergency managers improve communication and safety procedures to protect lives and property before and during severe weather events.  The Walt Disney World Resort made history in 2006 as the nation’s first theme park and resort area to be recognized as a StormReady Community and remains the only acknowledged commercial site in Florida.

You should feel confident that the Walt Disney World Resort is always thinking about their guests to make sure they have a safe and magical vacation.

Dine and Play on the Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise has a new update for families called Dine and Play.  This new program incorporates dinner with the Children Programming.  You can sign up for your family for Dine and Play once you board the Disney Cruise Ship.  For the Dine and Play, you can start your dinner as a family during your cruise.  You can dine at the Main Dining or Second Dining times.  This allows your family to enjoy some quality time together at the fun rotational dining restaurants.  Your server will bring out the kids meals early.  The kids can eat and then a Counselor for the Children Programming will come to the restaurant to pick up your kids to take them back to the Oceaneer Clubs.  The adults can then enjoy the rest of the meal and dessert without the kids.

For more information about the new Dine and Play, talk with our Disney Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel.

What to Pack for Rainy Days at Disney World

This past week at Disney World we had rain, rain, and even more rain.  Visiting the Disney Theme Parks in the rain is a great way to beat the crowds and Florida heat.  Most Cast Members and Orlando locals love visiting the Theme Parks during the rainy seasons because the parks are less crowded and much cooler.  To make the most during a rainy day at Disney World, here are our suggestions on what to park in case the forcast looks like rain during your vacation.

1.  Poncho – Forget the umbrellas and purchase a poncho from your local Walgreens, Target or Walmart store.  Ponchos allow you to be hands free and completely cover you from the rain.  From a light drizzle to a full out rain, you can still walk around the parks and hit rides without missing a beat.

2.  Small hand towels - You will get wet, so pull out some smaller towels to quickly dry off after a rain.  You can dry off quickly and keep having fun at the parks.

3.  Water shoes - Most people forget to wear comfortable water shoes during the rainy season at Disney World.  Our favorite water shoes are Tevas or Reef Sandels.  They can get wet, but do not fall off when walking around wet.  These shoes have straps around the heel which makes it easy to walk around, even wet.

4.  Baseball hats – Wearing a baseball hat with a large brim helps keep your face dry.  You can wear a baseball hat and then your poncho over the hat.  This keeps the poncho out of your face and your face dry.

5.  Large ziplock bags – After your ponchos get wet, store them away in a ziplock bag until needed again.  This keeps your other items dry, while around the Disney Theme Parks.

Always check the weather forcast before you leave for your Disney World vacation, being prepared is one of the best ways to make sure you have a wonderful vacation even in the rain.

Best Discount Ever for Summer Disney Cruise Vacations

Disney Cruise Line kicked off the best discount ever on a last minute Disney Cruise vacation for trips from June 20-August 9.  This is just in time to plan your family summer vacation!  If you stay in a stateroom that includes a verandah view (which is a Category 3-7), you will receive FREE shipboard credit.  The shipboard credit includes $300 on a 3-Night Cruise, a $400 shipboard credit on a 4-Night Cruise, and a $700 shipboard credit on a 7-Night Cruise.  That is hundreds of dollars in savings on your Disney Cruise vacation!

A shipboard credit is free “money” that is added to your room on your Disney Cruise.  You can use this “money” on souvenirs, spa treatments, alcohol, photos, Shore Excursions, and more during your vacation.  It is really just free spending money for your vacation!

For summer vacations, this is the best discount Disney has ever offered on a Disney Cruise.  Remember, the 3-Night and 4-Night Cruises are also part of the Summer at Sea Disney Channel Promotion.  Your kids can have meet & greets, photos, autograph sessions, and even concerts with your favorite Disney Channel stars this July and August.  You can combine this great entertainment event with the Disney Channel Promotion and extra savings with the FREE Shipboard Credit Promotion for the best Disney Cruise vacation ever!

Click here for more details and to request a quote for your family vacation!

Timesaver Tip at Epcot

Just the other day, I was at Epcot for the International Flower & Garden Festival.  Since I was at Epcot, I had to ride one of my favorite attractions called Test Track.  This fun thrill ride always has a long line.  We normally suggest skipping the long waits at these more popular rides by using FastPass.  Unfortunately, sometimes you do not get a FastPass in time or just want to quickly catch on of your favorite rides.  That is when the Single Rider line can be a great timesavers.  At Epcot, there are two very popular attractions that have Single Rider lines.  These attractions are Test Track and Mission Space.

On this day, I just popped in to get some pictures of the International Flower & Garden Festival and to ride Test Track.  The regular wait time for Test Track was 60 minutes.  However, the Single Rider line was only 10 minutes.  I bet you can guess what line we went to, the 10 minute line.  In the Single Rider line you will not ride with the rest of your party.  You will ride with other guests.  However, the experience was just as much fun.  Besides, how much talking do you really do when you are on this type of ride.  It was a exciting ride and we only waited in line for 10 minutes.

When hitting Epcot, always check the Single Rider line before picking up a FastPass or waiting in the regular queline.  Spend you time enjoying Epcot, not waiting in lines!

Preschoolers Guide to Disney World

I recently had the opportunity to review an updated version of a Disney World guide called the Preschoolers Guide to Disney World.  I am one of the agents at Destinations in Florida Travel that specializes in booking Disney World vacations for families with preschoolers (ages 0-5).  I myself have two younger children (ages 3 & 5), so I have special knowledge of visiting the Disney Resorts and Parks with preschoolers.  The guide is an easy to ready ebook on planning a family vacation with younger children.  This ebook helps you plan all aspects of your vacation from selecting the top kid resorts, best restaurants for little ones, rides at the Disney Parks for preschoolers, and even planned itineraries to the Disney Theme Parks.  There is a wealth of information, just for family’s with younger children.

As a travel agent selling Disney, one of my favorite sections of the guide was the list of the best resorts for family’s with preschoolers.  This is always one of the toughest parts about planning a Disney World vacation.  With 23 Disney World Resorts, which resort is the best for your family?  On a daily basis, this is a challenge for most guests.  This guide spotlights the best Disney Resorts for family’s with younger children.

I also loved the tips and tricks for the Disney Theme Parks.  With younger children, you cannot wait in lines.  My 3 year will last 10 minutes in a line and then it turns to crazy town.  The Preschoolers Guide to Disney World gives you tips on how to plan your time at the Disney Theme Parks to minimize your waits and maximize your vacation.

After reading the lastest version of the Preschoolers Guide to Disney, I immediately started suggesting some of our guests purchase a copy of this guide.  It is only $7.99 and will help you get the most out of a Disney World vacation with younger children.  You can click here for more information about the only guide available for planning a Disney World vacation with little ones.

Disney World Summer Vacation at a Discount Price

The end of the school year is coming…are you starting to plan your family’s summer vacation?  How about a Walt Disney World vacation at a special discount price!  Disney World has a brand new sale for vacations from June 7-August 8.  If you stay at one of the Disney World Resort Hotels, you can save up to 35% on your hotel costs.  You can book a room only reservation at this discount price or book a Magic Your Way Package that includes your hotel room and tickets.  Plus, with the Magic Your Way Packages you can add one of the Disney Dining Plans to save an additional 20-40% off meals during your vacation.

As an added bonus, Destinations in Florida Travel offers an extra discount off this already discount package.  We always guarantee lower prices than other travel agencies and even Disney direct.  Take advantage of special savings this summer at Disney World.  Hurry, you do have to book this discount before June 6.  Click here for more details on this summer deal!