Juneau, a port of call on a Disney Cruise Line Alaska & Pacific Coast Cruise vacation, is the state capital of Alaska located along the Gastineau Channel of southern Alaska’s panhandle. Nestled at the base of Mount Juneau amid a rainforest, Juneau is the largest capital in area in the United States and the only state capital accessible by air or ship only.

Local Culture and Flavor
With its rugged mountainsides, sweeping glaciers and rainforests, Juneau is a scenic wonderland everywhere you look. Witnessing wildlife, like a brown bear fishing for food during a nature hike or a bald eagle casually soaring overhead, is not out of the ordinary.

As the capital of Alaska, Juneau’s primary employer is the government—one out of every 2 Juneau workers is employed by the state, federal and municipal branches. Fishing, mining and tourism are also important parts of the Juneau economy. Recreational activities include hiking, kayaking, fishing, skiing, whale watching and wildlife viewing. Of the city’s 31,000 residents, a large percent are fisherman, legislators, teachers and business owners.

Juneau is home to Alaska’s only professional theater, Perseverance Theatre and the area hosts both the Alaska Folk Festival and the Juneau Jazz & Classics music festivals.

Past and Present
Originally a fishing outpost for local Tlingit Native Americans, the area now known as Juneau was founded in 1880 after 2 prospectors—Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau—discovered gold, thanks to help by Chief Kowee of the Auk Tlingit Tribe. Shortly thereafter, the town, originally called Harrisburg, was struck with “gold fever” and began to flourish, followed by hard-rock mining, sawmilling, canning and an expanding fishing industry. Juneau became the capital of Alaska in 1906.

Today, Juneau remains a treasured tourist destination that includes not only a Tlingit Native American influence, but also a tradition steeped in Russian culture. Boasting timeless natural wonders, museums and the historic sites, Juneau continues to stir the imaginations of all who visit.

Take a look at our video and explore Juneau, Alaska: A Port of Call of the Disney Wonder Alaskan Itinerary

Star Wars Weekends is an annual special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park that celebrates the legendary Star Wars saga and the animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, you can join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations and more!

Remember that Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park admission is required. Availability is limited for some events, which may be cancelled at any time.

Special Event Merchandise

Shop on the dark side at Darth’s Mall, featuring a galaxy of Star Wars collectibles created just for this year’s event. Located adjacent to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith, Darth’s Mall is open only during Star Wars Weekends. You can get all kinds of cool merchandise like Star Wars figures, Disney and Star Wars t-shirts, the entire “Her Universe” clothing line (complete with Ashley Eckstein meet and greet), build your own light saber toys, and toys for the Star Tours attraction like Starspeeder miniatures.

The hall is also home to a meet and greet for C3P0 and R2D2, a snack stand and an art gallery of fine Star Wars paintings.

You can also visit Tatooine Traders to build and name your own Astromech droid action figure at the Droid Factory.

Here’s a look inside Darth’s Mall-Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Be a part of this year’s Star Wars weekends from May 17 to June 9, 2013!

Join celebrities and characters for special shows, presentations and more! From Friday to Sunday each weekend, you can immerse yourself in the beloved saga that takes place in a galaxy far, far away during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

All Aboard!
Take off on a scenic half-mile adventure into the wilds of old America aboard a steam-powered paddler wheeler in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Board the Colonial-American-inspired, 3-tiered Liberty Belle riverboat nestled in the heart of Liberty Square and embark on a relaxing journey around Tom Sawyer Island along the Rivers of America.

Sights to See
During this charming, 17-minute journey into America’s early frontier, behold a menagerie of sights along the Magic Kingdom’s river’s edge including:

• An early American settlement
• An idyllic Native American village
• Harper’s Mill
• Fort Langhorn
• Wilson’s Cave Inn
• Woodland animals, including deer
• Unique views of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion, well-known Magic Kingdom attractions

Along the way, listen to lively narration by iconic American author Mark Twain as he details a time when traveling was as much about new discoveries as it was about transportation.

Liberty Belle
Liberty Belle is a working reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi. An actual working steam engine converts the water from the Rivers of America into steam that in turn powers the large paddle that propels the boat.

Aboard the Riverboat
Featuring meticulously detailed wood craftsmanship, the 47-foot tall Liberty Belle is comprised of 4 pristine decks:

• Pilothouse, also known as the top deck, features the wheelhouse and Captain’s Quarters
• Promenade Deck, includes a salon and a collection of vintage photos and maps
• Texas (or Sun) Deck, the perfect place to catch some rays as you float down the river
• Main Deck, includes the boiler and pistons that run the paddlewheel

Limited seating is available on all 4 decks.

Travel back to the past while moving full steam ahead on Liberty Belle!

Have a look at Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom in our video:

Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers an amazing menu of Nuevo Latino cuisine paired with traditional American flare, Maya Grill invites you to fall in love with the style and culture of Latin America. Celebrate the flavors of the Latin American cultures in a spacious, majestic dining room with Spanish tiles, graceful columns and the welcoming Mayan motifs of fire, sun and water.

Here’s a video of Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Maya Grill Menu

Breakfast Menu at Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 
Entree/Main Course
Breakfast skillet – Breakfast potatoes topped with eggs, sausage, bacon and cheese sauce. Served with Biscuit – $9.99
Continental Breakfast – Selection of Pastries and fruit with coffee and juice – $7.99
Eggs Benedict – Served with Premium Canadian Baconm poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. – $10.99
Fruit Plate – Seasonal Fruit and berries served with a yogurt sauce – $8.99
Mickey Waffles – Served with fresh fruit and syrup – $5.09
Omelets – Ham and cheese or Mushroom and Mozzarella or Vegetable blend – $11.99
Pancake Trio – Served with syrup, seasonal fruit cup and choice of meats – $9.99
Smoked Norwegian Salmon and Bagel – Served with red onion, cream cheese and tomato – $9.99
Steak and Huevos Rancheros – 2 eggs cooked to order and char grilled sirloin on corn tortilla, served with ranchera sauce and jack blend cheese – $14.99
Traditional Breakfast – 2 eggs, choice of meat, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast, biscuit or muffin – $11.99
Side Dish
Bagel and cream cheese – . – $2.99
Ham, bacon or Sausage – . – $3.59
Toast, English Muffin or Biscuit – . – $2.99

Dinner Menu at Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 
Appetizers/Starter
Gulf Shrimp Cocktail – Served with traditional Cocktail sauce and a spicy Aioli. – $10.00
Pan Seared Scallops – Green and red chili sauces, savory chorizo – $10.00
Pulled Pork Empanada – Served with Chipotle cream – $9.00
Seafood Skillet – Gulf shrimp, baby clams, and mussels in a zesty tomato and garlic sauce – $13.00
Stuffed Portobello Mushroom – Topped with chicken breast, monterrey jack cheese and a spicy passion fruit dip – $10.00

Soups/Salads
Heart of Romaine Caesar – Caesar dressing with parmesan garlic crisp – $8.00
Seasonal Greens Salad – Seasonal Greens Salad – $8.00
Soup of the Day – Soup of the Day – $7.00

Entree/Main Course
Beef Tenderloin Tips – Served with sauteed mushroom medley. – $29.00
Char grilled Swordfish steak – Thai curry, beurre blanc, lentil and chayote medley – $25.00
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breast – Served with Chipotle BBQ sauce and roasted avocado salsa – $21.00
Pan seared Snapper – Zucchini and cilantro risotto with guajillo
Pork Chop Milanesa – Served with herb rice pilaf, spinach, shitake mushroom
Pork Loin Salteado – Peruvian style stir fry served on steak fries and rocoto sauce
Salmon A La Plncha – Surimi and jicama slaw with vegetable medley
Seafood Jalea – Gulf shrimp, fresh catch and calamari served with tomato, red oniom and cilantro slaw.
Shoulder Beef Tender – Served in a Cabernet and Balsamic reduction, includes choice of potato & mixed veggies.
Steak & Catch – Filet mignon and fresh catch of the day. Includes choice of potato & mixed veggies.
Steak and Portobello Skewer – Includes choice of potato & Ratatouille veggies.
Traditional Ribeye Steak – Served with parmesan potato and ratatouille vegetables

 

Slip away to this elegant waterfront retreat for exquisite seafood specialties and spectacular views of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom.

One of our favorite restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort is Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This popular restaurant sits right on the Seven Seas Lagoon with a spectacular view of Magic Kingdom. Narcoossee’s, named after a city in Florida features some famous entree items including crab crusted flounder, grilled salmon, steamed whole lobster, grilled ahi tuna, and filet mignon. The desserts are also quite popular at this resort including the Year of a Million Dreams dessert called Almond-Crusted Cheesecake.

This restaurant does have a dress code that includes business casual. It is a great choice for adults and couples celebrating a special occasion. However, children also enjoy this restaurant with the lake and Magic Kingdom view. You can even plan a later dinner and watch the Magic Kingdom Wishes Fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle. It is a more expensive restaurant called a Disney Signature Table Service Restaurant. If you are on the Dining Plan, you can use (2) of your sit down meals to enjoy this restaurant. If you are on the Premium or Platinum Package, this restaurant is included in your package. It is a great choice for an evening away at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Here’s a short video tour of Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World.

Narcoossee’s Coastal Cuisine

This week, Kristin from Couponing to Disney, offers her favorite tip for a Disney World vacation.

Rope Drop – Want to experience shorter lines, cooler temperatures and smaller crowds? Just make it to the park about 45 minutes before it opens. This will ensure that you enter the park in front of the crowds. We can typically squeeze in about 10-12 rides in the first hour the park is open. It will take you 3-4 hours to ride that same number of rides later in the day!

Stay tuned next week for another Disney World tip from the queen of couponing to Disney!

Each day in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, a Flag Retreat Ceremony is held. Held in Town Square each day at 5:00 p.m., the ceremony is conducted by members of WDW Security and a special guest. The special guest is a visitor to the park who is either an active or retired member of the Military. A Cast Member selects the special guest to participate in the ceremony. The Main Street Philharmonic provides the soundtrack to the ceremony providing that true patriotic feel. To commemorate the event, there is a Disney Photopass photographer who takes pictures of him/her and they are also given a certificate and special pin. It is definitely a site to behold and one you should take time out to experience.

Take a look at a recent flag ceremony in this video:

Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Village Lake. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and an award-winning spa. You can also explore the fun activities and exciting dining options of the Downtown Disney area, just a boat ride away.

Here’s a look at Saratoga Springs Resort:

Pool with Waterslide
Discover 2 exciting feature pools at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort—plus waterslides, whirlpool spas, aqua-play areas and more!

• At The Paddock Pool, breeze down a 146-foot-long waterslide, relax in a horseshoe-shaped whirlpool spa and wade into the pool via a gently sloping, zero-depth entry point. There’s even 2 miniature waterslides built just for kids.
• At High Rock Spring Pool, delight in cascading waterfalls, a zero-depth entry point and a waterslide built into the rocks. Children can splash through bubbling geysers at the Donald Duck play area and glide down the pint-sized waterslide.

You can also explore 3 additional, all-ages leisure pools—each with a whirlpool spa.

Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort
Elevated 10 feet off the ground, the 3-bedroom Treehouse Villas offer fully equipped kitchens, flat-screen TVs, private decks, driveways and charcoal grills.
Surrounded by the lush forest along the Sassagoula River, the Treehouse Villas are an enchanting hideaway just a walk or boat ride away from the heart of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
The Treehouse Villas water taxi also ferries Guests to the Downtown Disney area—brimming with restaurants, a movie theater, a bowling alley and more!

I absolutely love this part of any Disney cruise. Castaway Cay is the best! The Disney Dream ship looked really cool docked at Castaway Cay, too. They had extended the dock to accomodate the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.

Be sure to watch for people going through the AquaDuck on the Disney Dream!

The Disney Dream is the majestic third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Boasting 14 towering decks, a ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet, the 130,000-ton vessel includes 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,458 Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each and every day.

Building on the classic style of the previous 2 ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream is a valiant vessel distinguished for its classic early 20th-century design—which harkens back to the golden age of cruising—and state-of-the-art technology. As can be expected from Disney, the cruise liner was specially designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts—like the splashtacular AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea.

Take a look at our video of the Disney Dream Docked at Castaway Cay:

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow is the newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Opening on Dec 6, 2012, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow is an new immersive experience for buccaneers of all ages.

Join the Crew! Live the pirate life and encounter scurvy scoundrels during an exciting new experience.

Inspired by the popular Walt Disney film series Pirates of the Caribbean, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios immerses you in all the action—so you’ll feel like you’re part of the crew. During your journey, you will:

•  Encounter the skull and crossbones, which introduce you to pirate lore—and lure you into the fun
• Be tested by a large sea storm, the rage of the kraken and a pirate battle
• Take the pirate’s oath and become a member of the crew

A thrilling experience from beginning to end, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is sure to satisfy your appetite for adventure!

With distinctive and advanced technologies, you’ll feel as though you’ve met the real Captain Jack Sparrow, battled a Kracken, avoided a mermaid attack and escaped a ghost skeleton crew!

The experiences lasts a little over 10 minutes and is a stand up/walk through attraction. The whole audience participates in the story in a collective manner and will likely leave you singing “Yo ho, Yo ho. A pirates life for me.”

Have a look at the entire experience here – The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: