Do you have a little one that absolutely loves Finding Dory or Dory from Finding Nemo? Then your family will fall in love with The Seas with Nemo and Friends located in Future World at Disney’s Epcot. One thing you will find as you enjoy your stroll through both the large and smaller aquariums or as your family rides The Seas with Nemo and Friends is that Finding Dory will be very easy for even the smallest of visitors. Your family will enjoy finding Dory in all the aquariums and especially love hanging out with Dory and her friends when you join in on the fun in Turtle Talk with Crush. In additional to the fun ride, wonderful aquariums and hilarious talks with Crush your family will also enjoy all of the hands on experiences that The Seas with Nemo and Friends offers it’s guests!

Written by Kari O’Dell:  Kari creates lasting memories by planning customized vacations all over the world.  Not only does she find you the BEST accommodations with the BEST value, but she will fill in all the blanks for you, all at no cost to you.  Traveling is her passion!  Passing that magic on to your family is what fuels that passion!  If you are ready to save on your next vacation book your next vacation with Kari at 434-609-2370 or kari@destinationsinflorida.com.

Universal’s CityWalk has some incredible restaurants to eat at. When you are ready to take a break from the parks and what to sit down for a great meal, there is no better place to go. Here are our top 3 places to eat at CityWalk.

#3 Antojitos – Take a journey through the cantinas, street carts, and markets of Mexico City for the best food you’ve never had at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. Only the freshest ingredients—marinated, roasted, or grilled to perfection—are used to create the craveable Mexican street food fare that has drawn attention from the culinary elite around the globe. The incredible food, colorful décor, and authentic bar menu will make you feel like you just discovered a hidden gem that only locals know about. Antojitos Menu

#2 Cowfish – Burgers and sushi. Sushi and burgers. Certainly unusual, absolutely great. That’s The Cowfish®, the first and only Sushi Burger Bar, focused on offering both the best sushi AND the best burger in town. Our signature creations are what we call “Burgushi®”! A cutting-edge fusion of burger and sushi, Burgushi® items include sushi rolls created using burger components, and pick-up style sandwiches created using sushi ingredients. Cowfish Menu Cowfish Kids Menu Cowfish Beverage Menu

#1 Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – From the Alps to the empire of the Aztecs, from Mongolia to Madagascar, Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome learned new and fascinating methods of infusing chocolate into the most extraordinary recipes, making friends and receiving honors everywhere she went. Upon returning home to London, Penelope determined that she would share her love and knowledge of chocolate with the world. She set about building The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen™, an enchanting 19th century themed, Steampunk inspired dining establishment with a façade of towering smokestacks and an interior adorned with intriguing gadgets and gizmos.

Destinations in Florida is here to help make sure you can experience all the foodie joy Universal CityWalk has to offer. You can book Universal Orlando tickets with shuttle transfers, and they pick you up right at your Disney or Orlando hotel!  Book your ticket today!

I’m incredibly excited to share with you all that Universal CityWalk’s newest full-service restaurant will officially grand open on Thursday, September 22.

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen will officially open to guests at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, for dinner. The next day will begin standard operating hours, opening at 11 a.m. for lunch and closing at 11 p.m.

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a 19th Century Steampunk-themed, full-service restaurant that brings together a specially created and expansive menu plus an incredible array of gourmet-level chocolates and desserts – all in a highly themed, unique environment that can only be found at Universal CityWalk. The impressive menu features twists on classic steak, seafood and pasta entrees, gourmet burgers, sandwiches, incredible salads, all-day brunch and so much more. And, of course, the desserts are absolutely out-of-this-world.

Get ready to rock, ride and rejoice THIS WEEKEND at Rock the Universe at Universal Studios Florida! This is one of my favorite annual events at Universal Orlando Resort. For years, I’ve attended the event with my family or my church, and it really is a weekend to remember.

While enjoying some of the incredible attractions at Universal Studios, you’re able to experience performances by some of the hottest names in Christian music each night. You’ll get a weekend filled with faith & worship, music and theme park thrills!

And as a friendly reminder here’s the talent line-up for this weekend.
Sometimes showtimes change, so check your park map when you get here for the latest information.

Friday, September 9
• Skillet
• Matt Maher
• Jeremy Camp
• Rend Collective
• KB
• Lauren Daigle
• Finding Favour
• DJ Promote

Saturday, September 10
• Lecrae
• Colton Dixon
• TobyMac
• Family Force 5
• Andy Mineo
• NF
• I Am They
• DJ Promote

Plus, check out the Coca-Cola FanZone for even more live music, autograph sessions and more.

Learn more in this weeks’ video by clicking here.

Planning your first cruise is super exciting, but it also can be a little overwhelming. I hope these tips will help make planning your family’s first cruise a little less stressful. 

Regardless of which cruise line you choose; Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise, Disney Cruise Line or any other cruise, these tips will help make your trip planning go as smooth as possible.

Tip 1:  Pre-planning:  Seriously consider getting travel insurance.  In essence, make sure you have travel insurance. This gives you peace of mind.  If something were to happen and you’re not able to go, your travel insurance will help.   Ask your travel agent what travel insurance options are available and which is best for your family. I always list and offer travel insurance to all my clients. 

Side note: Be sure to read it through any insurance policy and add it at the right time. Some policies must be added at certain times after booking a cruise.  If too much time has passed, you may not be able to add certain travel insurances. 

Tip 2:  Pre-planning:  Pre-book shore excursions. If you know you really want to do some excursions on a day on a specific island, sign up before your cruise! You don’t want the tour to be sold out once you get onboard.

Tip 3:  Packing: Have a dedicated bag (like a carry-on bag) for items you may need quickly (such as medications) and for a few clothing items; like a bathing suit and change of clothes.  That way, in case your luggage doesn’t arrive quickly, you can still enjoy some time at the pool and have a change of clothes for dinner, until it does. 

Tip 4:  Day Before: Arrive the day before your cruise. The main reason I suggest this is so you can be sure you are not delayed getting to the ship.  You’ll be able to find several hotels close to your port of departure; your Travel Agent will be able to recommend a few.  Remember… cruise ships don’t wait for anyone. 

Tip 5: Day You Sail:  Be sure to have all your important documents (passports, etc…) ready before you board the cruise ship. You don’t want to be searching for items and papers while in line.  Make sure any forms are already filled out as well.  This is going to help you have a smooth check-in process. 

Written By Veronica: Veronica has planned her family vacations for years.  Now she gets to do it for others, and it’s a dream come true.  She creates lasting memories to the destination of your choice by planning customized vacations.  She focuses on family and family reunion travel to all the best destinations… Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Disney Cruise Line and Sandals & Beaches Resorts, to just name a few.  She’ll help you find the BEST accommodations with the BEST value, and she will fill in all the blanks… all at no cost to you! If you are ready to plan your magical getaway, contact her.  You pick your vacation destination… she’ll help make it a reality.  Veronica@DestinationsInFlorida.com 

Universal Orlando has some of the most thrilling, advanced, and exciting rides in the world! Because of that, you may think that there would be nothing for your little ones to do. But that is not true, here are our top 3 picks for adventures for your little ones.

#3 Curious George Goes to Town: The Curious George books are some of the most beloved children’s stories ever. At Universal Studios Florida they come to life. Your little ones will love running around this water play area; it’s full of buttons to push to make water rain down and water cannons to soak people. Also, there is a great indoor play area in the back if you don’t want to get wet.

#2 Flight of the Hippogriff: When you visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, you will find the Flight of the Hippogriff. With a minimum height of 36 inches, it’s the perfect first roller coaster for any of your little ones. Just fast enough to be fun, but not scary. Plus you get to see Buckbeak.

#1 The Cat in the Hat: Who has not wanted to step into the pages of a Dr. Suess book while reading it to their little ones? Now you can on The Cat in The Hat in Suess Landing. This attraction brings to life the adventure 2 kids have with the mischievous Cat in the Hat. Also keep a look out for Thing One and Thing Two.

Universal Orlando is an amazing experience that has lots more to offer your little ones. Destinations in Florida is here to help make sure you can experience it. You can book Universal Orlando tickets with shuttle transfers, and they pick you up right at your Disney or Orlando hotel!  Book your ticket today!