Mickey’s of Hollywood Video Tour

Time-travel with Mickey from the 1920s to the 1940s and pick up Disney’s Hollywood Studios keepsakes and mouse mementos.

At Mickey’s of Hollywood, you can find clothing, jewelry, accessories, ear hats, plush characters, pins, mugs, MagicBands and MagicBand accessories, board games and so much more. Pick up all your Walt Disney World souvenirs here too including snow globes, ornaments, beach towels, and photo albums.

The shop is located on Sunset Blvd and it is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

What’s your favorite Disney souvenir from Mickey’s of Hollywood?

Do you want to know the best rides for your thrill-seeking teen? Here’s a hint: They consist of three mountains, one mine, and a haunted house. Our Top 5 rides for teens in the Magic Kingdom…

5. Haunted Mansion – You’ll get a spooky feeling as you walk through the graveyard and enter Master Gracey’s Mansion. Once the ghostly staff welcomes you and you’re told a brief story, you’ll board your very own Doom Buggy. Sit back and relax as you glide through haunted hallways and rooms…including a strangely festive grand ballroom. Watch out for Hitchhiking Ghosts.

4. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Board your very own mine car for an adrenalin-filled ride through the Enchanted Forrest and a mine where the Seven Dwarfs are hard at work. The hard part is trying to whistle while screaming.

3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Hang onto your hats as you steam your way through the Wild Wild West aboard a runaway train. This ride is best enjoyed when you “stick your hands up” and yell “Yeehaw.”

2. Splash Mountain – The best way to cool yourself off at the Magic Kingdom on those hot days is floating along the bayou on this log flume water coaster. You’ll want to sit toward the front for maximum wetness.

1. Space Mountain – What kid has never wanted to be an astronaut? Zoom through the galaxy in your rocket ship inside this dark ride. You’ll feel like you’re in outer space with on this steel coaster with the push and pull of gravity. Soar past shooting stars and wayward comets as you are shot through space.

Written by Michelle Guthrie: Michelle is a wife and mother to 3 young children. She was born and raised in Florida and a long time Disney World annual pass holder. When her family isn’t vacationing at Disney or Universal, they’re taking road trips to see the USA. It’s her family’s goal is to catch a game at every MLB ballpark. Michelle is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She loves helping plan magical vacations that create memories to last a lifetime…all at no cost to you. Contact Michelle to book your next vacation at Michelle@destinationsinflorida.com or 813-928-9432. You can also follow her on Facebook here.

Viva la Música Sizzles at SeaWorld Orlando!

Viva la Música is sizzling back into action at SeaWorld Orlando with new flavors and some of the hottest Hispanic artists in the industry. This fiery, festive celebration runs Saturdays April 16 and 23, and May 7 and 14 and is included with park admission.

Entertainment

On Saturday, April 16, salsa and Latin music sensation, Jerry Rivera will take the stage.  Rivera has sold more than 11 million records and has topped the Billboard chart with gold and platinum songs.

Then on Saturday, April 23, Latin Grammy winner, Víctor Manuelle will dazzle guests as he performs hit songs like “No Quería Engañarte” from his multiplatinum albums.

Viva la Música activities begin at 12 p.m. each Saturday at the Bayside pathway, with concerts starting at 3 p.m. at Bayside Stadium.

Foodies and music lovers can enjoy this family-friendly annual festival with new authentic cuisine prepared by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Hector Colon; live concerts by these internationally acclaimed Hispanic artists and bands; and unique merchandise from local artisans that reflect the true spirit of Latin culture.

Flavors to Taste

• Chef’s signature creations – New this year at Mango Joe’s is the Hamburguesa Cubana, a hamburger made with a chorizo, ground beef and pork patty. Plus, guests who visit Seafire Grill, Cypress Bakery and Mango Joe’s will find an array of Latin infused limited-time dishes.
• New, savory and authentic dishes this year include:
  • Piononos – Sweet plantain stuffed with traditional seasoned ground beef
  • Morcilla – Traditional Latin American blood sausage
  • Sorullitos – Caribbean-style fried polenta sticks
  • Frituras de camarones – Skewered shrimp fritters with fried plantains
  • Lechón asado – Traditional roaster pork rubbed with Caribbean spices
  • Some of the guests’ returning favorites include piraguas (shaved ice with tropical flavors), bacalaítos (fried salted codfish pancakes), pinchos (skewered grilled meat with fried plantains) and tripletas, a hearty sandwich made with roast pork, chicken, steak and cheese topped with potato sticks and a special sauce.
  • Food Sampler Package – For $25, guests looking to try an assortment of new flavors can choose from five samples of select dishes and also receive 15 percent off all food and drink purchases on the event pathway.

Pastries, desserts, beers, margaritas, mojitos, cuba libres, wine and a special house-made sparkling red sangria are also available throughout the event pathway.

Sounds to Hear

Every Saturday during Viva la Música, upbeat concerts from internationally renowned stars of reggaeton, salsa, merengue and more will take the stage at SeaWorld Orlando’s Bayside Stadium for exciting live concerts.

Scheduled performances include:

• Saturday, April 16:  Jerry Rivera
• Saturday, April 23:  Víctor Manuelle
• Saturday, May 7:  To be announced
• Saturday, May 14:  To be announced

Floor Seating Package – Starting at just $15, guests can reserve concert floor seats right in front of the stage act.

*BONUS! – Guests looking to pair their savory cuisine with the perfect Latin beats can purchase the Food Sampler + Front Row Seating Package – Starting at $45, guests can reserve a front row seat (just inches away from the artists), plus enjoy all the benefits of the food sampler package.

Sights to See

• Jardín – Returning this year is the Viva la Música garden, providing a more relaxing environment for the entire family, but still just steps away from the main fiesta. Seating and Domino tables are available for guests to relax and enjoy in this area as well.
• Mercados – Sprinkled across the event pathway will be small shops stationed with original merchandise inspired by the Latin culture and created by local artisans and artists including handmade oil paintings, organic jewelry and much more.
• Festive Latin Atmosphere – The Bayside pathway will come alive with bright colors, Caribbean décor, dance floors and DJs spinning live music hits.

The best way to experience Viva la Música and all of SeaWorld’s special events throughout the year is with a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass. From now until April 24, guests who purchase a SeaWorld annual pass will also receive access to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark for free. With an annual pass, guests will also be able to return this summer for the opening of MAKO – Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Carousel Ride

There is so much family fun on board the Royal Caribbean Cruise called the Oasis of the Sea.  This ship sets sail on adventures from Florida. The cruise port is less than an hour from the central Florida attractions, so you can easily combine a cruise with your family theme park vacation.

One of our favorite family activities aboard Oasis of the seas is the carousel on the Boardwalk. Take a ride with us here:

There is so much to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise! Explorer, adventurers, daredevils: this is the vacation for you. Learn to surf far above the waves, climb higher than ever on the rock wall, and even ice skate your way across the Caribbean. And there’s always time for some downtime at the spa and pool!

What if your favorite vacation activity?

One of my favorite times to visit Epcot is during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival each year. If you have never experienced this vibrant event I highly suggest adding it to your Disney bucket list!

This vibrant season blossoms its way into Epcot from early March through the month of May and offers exciting opportunities for all ages and interests. One of my favorite parts of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is snapping pictures of more than 70 Disney-themed topiaries. These topiaries are incredible and include all of the character favorites from both old and new Disney & Pixar films. We spend time each trip getting pictures of each of the topiaries as well as some fun family pictures with our favorite character topiaries. In addition to these world-renowned topiaries, there are also numerous vibrant gardens, flower towers, wildlife habitats as well as exhibits, seminars, how-to demonstrations, outdoor concert series, playgrounds for the kids and Outdoor Kitchens offering scrumptious small plates and drinks. This festival combines the greatness of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in the fall with the beauty of Spring. Whether you are a foodie or just enjoy gorgeous flowers and exhibits the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is a must!

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.

 

Two New Announcements about Mako Hypercoaster Coming to SeaWorld Orlando

The Mako frenzy continues to swell at SeaWorld Orlando with two new announcements today:

1)      The new coaster – Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest — will strike with full force on a grand opening date of June 10, 2016.

2)      Further feeding the Mako frenzy is a new live presentation in the park for guests who want a sneak peek starting now. The new presentation gives guests a preview of the ride design, construction and experience, and also shares interesting educational facts about sharks in the wild that need our help.

 

The preview presentation, called Mako Rising, is now being shown at Nautilus Theater daily at 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.  Audience members enjoy complimentary snacks as they relax in the cool indoor theater and participate in the informative, interactive experience. All audience guests also will receive special in-park offers and the opportunity to win a prize during the presentation.

 

Mako Quick Facts:

•      Opening June 10, 2016, Mako will be the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando.

•      Mako will be a hypercoaster, designed for speed and relentless “air time”

•      Orlando’s only hypercoaster lures guests to brave tight turns, stomach steep drops and endure shark-attack speeds.

•      Riders will soar up to 200 feet high and reach speeds up to 73 mph.

•      Mako will be the centerpiece of the new two-acre shark-themed realm which also includes Shark Encounter^®, Sharks Underwater Grill^®, gift shops, and shark- and shipwreck-themed educational experiences.

Follow the Mako frenzy using the hashtag #NothingFaster.

Planet Hollywood Shopping!

Get ready to shop where the stars are at Planet Hollywood Superstore. Find everything from key chains to movie memorabilia in this one stop Hollywood shop! Planet Hollywood Superstore is located on Sunset Blvd inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

One of my favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World Resort is the spring so I can visit the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. This annual festival, which is included with regular park admission, is held from March through May and fills Epcot with larger than life character topiaries, outdoor kitchens, an incredible playground for kids, concert series, seminars and demonstrations, and so much more!

As you walk through Epcot, you will see your favorite Disney characters brought to life through plants, topiaries, and more. This year’s festival has Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Anna, Elsa, Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Belle, the Beast, Bambi, Thumper, Chip and Dale, and so many more!

The festival has brought thirteen outdoor kitchens to Epcot featuring unique and delicious creations such as candied strawberries, frushi, bubble tea, brisket, smoked ribs, cocktails, craft beers, ciders, and more!

This year’s interactive playground is Music Garden Melodies Playground and features drums, chimes, xylophones, and state of the art net climbers for your kids to explore and get out some energy.

The Garden Rocks concert series is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening of the festival and features performers including the Village People, Night Ranger, The Guess Who, and more. You can catch a performance at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, or 8:00 pm every weekend.

Don’t miss this year’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival happening now through May 30, 2016!

Written by Siera Duiser: Siera Duiser is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She loves helping plan magical vacations at no cost to you. Contact Siera to book your next vacation at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or 734-771-1290. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Three new acts will make their Sounds Like Summer concert series debut this summer at Epcot.

Bands paying tribute to the music of Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner and Bruce Springsteen are part of the seven-week event in World Showcase. The Sounds Like Summer concert series returns to America Gardens Theater starting June 5.

The line up includes: (Entertainment and times subject to change)

June 5-11                  Don’t Look Back – A Tribute to Boston

June 12-18               Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles

June 19-24               NEW! Rumours – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band

June 25-July 1          NEW! Simply Tina – A Tribute to Tina Turner

July 2-9                      Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees

July 10-16                 NEW! Bruce in the USA – A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

July 17-23                 DSB – A Tribute to Journey

Performances are included with regular Epcot admission. Show times are: 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily.

 

One of the best vacations you can experience is setting sail on a cruise! Whether you choose to cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Carnival Cruise Line you are sure to have a new favorite way to make memories.

When you decide to cruise you are given the opportunity to experience several ports of call all over the world all within one trip! On top of experiencing wonderful ports of call, you will also be able to dine on scrumptious cuisines, relax at the spa, watch world class stage productions, join in on shore excursions that you may not normally experience and so much more all on your cruise. And we cannot forget all the fun to be had by your children whether in the kid’s club or teen’s club. No matter if you are young or young at heart a cruise is a perfect vacation for all!

Aside from all of the incredible perks planning a cruise can be overwhelming if you are a first-time cruiser. We want to help you feel confident in your cruise vacation so here are our Top 5 Tips for First Time Cruisers!

1. Call your Travel Professional first – Your Travel Professional will be your personal guide to all aspects of your cruise! They will be able to discuss the different cruise lines and which one will be best for you and your desires as well as making sure you select the best stateroom category and then ensure you get the perfect room for your family. Additionally, they will be able to help you decide on the best shore excursions, dining times, and all the extras. The best thing about using your Travel Professional is all of their knowledge and services are FREE to you!
2. Book early! – Typically when you book early, you are locking in the best price on your cruise. But should your price go down due to a sale your Travel Professional will be able to adjust the pricing to reflect those new discounts.
3. Pre-Book your shore excursions to ensure your shore excursions does not sell out before you board!
4. Know what your cruise price includes and does not include so that you are better prepared once you board.
5. Each night you will receive a program for the next day in your room. Make sure to read it and see if there is anything you do not want to miss! This daily schedule of events will be your holy grail while cruising. It will tell you everything that is going on that day, theater schedules, special events, dress code for dinner, port information and so much more. You do not want to miss out so make sure you are prepared by reading it.

Your first cruise is sure to be the most fun and relaxing memories your family has ever made! Are you ready to set sail?

Written by Kari O’Dell:  Kari creates lasting memories by planning customized land and sea 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.