Book New Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Receive $150 Dining Credit!

Be one of the first to experience Universal Orlando® Resort’s new island jewel – Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – and receive a FREE $150 dining credit* (per room) by booking any vacation package with a 4-night stay or longer.

Plus, hotel guests enjoy exclusive benefits including:

• Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the general public (valid theme park admission required)
• Resort-wide charging privileges with room key
• Complimentary transportation to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk®

Travel Dates: 7/14/16 – 12/31/16.  (Offer not valid 11/23 – 11/26/16.)

This introductory offer won’t last long, so book today!

Book now to be among the first to enjoy this incredible new property at Universal Orlando Resort!

Call 877-918-8941 or Click Here to Request a Quote

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of the © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s16) *One (1) $150 credit per room. Credit applies to food and beverage (excluding alcohol) at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort restaurants only, days/hours of operation may vary. $150 credit must be used in full during stay. Excludes gratuities and applicable taxes. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions, discounts or prior purchases. Any unused portions of are non-transferable and nonrefundable. Minimum of four (4) night stay required. Promotional offer is valid for travel between 07/14/16 – 12/15/16. Offer must be booked by 05/31/16. No group rates or other discounts apply. Blockout dates apply 11/23/16 – 11/26/16. Travel must be completed during promotional period(s). †Requires theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to one (1) Universal Orlando theme park as determined by Universal Orlando. Valid at select attractions at each park. Universal Orlando Resort reserves the right to open alternative attractions in the event that a technical problem arises or an attraction opening is delayed. © 2016 MARVEL. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2016 UCF Hotel Venture III. All Rights Reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2016 Universal Studios. © 2016 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. 1511996/RA

Loews Royal Pacific is a personal favorite for me while visiting Universal Orlando. From the minute you walk up the wooden plank bridge, across a quiet river and into the stunning lobby you will feel as if you truly are at a resort in the South Pacific. The décor is very much set back in a time of elegance and adventure, beautifully colorful umbrellas greet you to shield from the afternoon rain, and exquisite hand carved wood throughout the resort. The best part of all, the center of the lobby, a stunning atrium filled with foliage from the islands along with carved Buddhas and elephants—so peaceful.

To the left of the lobby is where guests can check in along with plenty of seating for those weary from their travels as well a unique gift shop. To the right is one of the restaurants, Orchid Court Lounge that serves breakfast in the morning and sushi at night—be sure to check out the teak wood furniture, truly something special. As you look out the windows of this restaurant, you will see Royal Pacific’s amazing pool.

Royal Pacific’s pool is lagoon style with a sandy beach, tropical backdrop and plenty of activities such as pool basketball, hula hooping contests and even a “dive-in” movie where you can float on tubes and watch a movie on their own outdoor movie screen. When you need a snack or a fruity beverage head over to the Bula Bar & Grille for poolside treats. The pool area also offers two hot tubs, a beach volleyball court, an interactive play area for children and private cabanas you can rent.

The rooms at Royal Pacific have recently been renovated in 2015; all the rooms have a very modern Pacific feel—deep purples & silver, very cool and chic. Two queen beds, a Keurig, and modern bathroom amenities. You also have the choice to upgrade to the Club level or surprise the kids with a Jurassic Park themed family suite—may options for your stay at Loews Royal Pacific.
Next time you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to add Loews Royal Pacific to your resort list—you will not be disappointed. Happy Travels.

Written by Regina Cwiklinski, Travel Agent with Destinations to Explore. My goal is to make sure everyone of my guests has the most magical vacation. If you have further questions I can be reached at: regina@destinationsinflorida.com

Seven Seas Marina

The Seven Seas marina offers a variety of watercraft available for rent, as well as private excursions. Cruise the Seven Seas Lagoon as captain of a Boston Whaler® 170 Montauk, a Sun Tracker® family pontoon boat or a 2-person Sea Raycer by Sea Ray®.

Specialty Cruises

Setting sail on a fantasy excursion is the perfect way to cruise the sparkling waterways of the Walt Disney World Resort, where brilliantly lit theme parks soar from the shores. Choose from a fanciful fleet of floating festivities for any special occasion. Reserve space on a fireworks cruise and watch spectacular fireworks light up the night sky from the gentle waters.

Up to 2 Guests

Walt Disney World Resort has so many delicious dining options, from elegant multi-course meals at fine dining establishments to tasty snacks and treats. No matter what your taste buds prefer, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Disney World! It is so hard to pick just my top five, but here are my favorite snacks at Disney World.

1. Dole Whip Float: The Dole Whip (pineapple ice cream) only gets better when you add fresh Dole pineapple juice. This treat can only be found at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Magic Kingdom Park so be sure to stop when you have the chance.
2. Plaza Ice Cream Sundae: There are a number of ice cream flavors to choose from here such as vanilla, chocolate, birthday cake, mint chocolate chip, and more. You can then choose your sundae toppings and even have it served in a freshly made waffle bowl. This is a great treat to enjoy during Festival of Fantasy parade, Main Street Electrical Parade, or Wishes.
3. Cupcakes: You can get cupcakes from a variety of locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, but my favorite is Starring Rolls at Hollywood Studios. They often have limited time offerings (seasonal), but always have some “staples” like the Butterfinger cupcake or the Red Velvet cupcake.
4. Caramel Corn: You can get warm, fresh caramel corn from Karamel Kuche inside the Germany pavilion at Epcot. Even if you aren’t a fan of caramel, I highly recommend stopping in for the free smells.
5. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich: Most people love the Mickey Ice Cream Bar, but another great treat is the Mickey ice cream sandwich which has cookies and cream ice cream filled between two soft chocolate cookies.

What is your favorite snack at Disney World?

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.

Minnie Mouse and her friends celebrate the magic of the movies and glamour of Hollywood with an epic feast at the new Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The all new character dining experience is hosted by Minnie and her pals and begins just in time for Academy Awards season.

Dinner guests will walk the red carpet and get ready for their close-up with some of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Daisy and Goofy will all be there and dressed in their designer best. Mickey will greet guests and pose with them for photographs in the midst of the glitz and glamour before escorting them into the dinner party, where guests get the chance to meet Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy as they enjoy classic cuisine, themed to old Hollywood. This new party at Walt Disney World Resort is filled with dazzling décor, a sweeping musical score, award-winning food, activities and more.

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine with Minnie Mouse runs from Jan. 4 to March 20, 2016.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter

Dine like a Mardi Gras reveler—bite into a beignet to begin your day, before moving onto a smattering of po ‘ boy sandwiches at lunch. Then, come suppertime, celebrate the spirit of New Orleans with gumbo, jambalaya, fried chicken and more.

Take a tour of the restaurant and the lunch options in our video below:

The whole family can find their favorite entrees and snacks at Sassagoula Float Works and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort with burgers, pizza, pasta, and Po’ Boys as well as quesadillas, topped baked potatoes, gumbos and much more. Tons of snacks including ice cream, beignets, cupcakes, carrot cake, fruit package items and more give you plenty of sweet treats to select from.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter is open 6am to midnight daily.

Are you ready to save the planet and join the MIB squad? Men in Black is such a fun ride and a favorite for many. You enter the Men in Black headquarters for training and help save New York City from space aliens. Come along in this video game come to life as you travel in a spinning vehicle through the streets of New York. Watch your score climb as you zap aliens while saving the Planet. While you compete as a 6-person team, you are also competing as an individual for top scores. Earn the “suit” status as an MIB agent when you get the highest score.

Helpful hints: Always keep your finger on the trigger…never let up. Keep zapping the target to keep accruing points. Earn more points by shooting the aliens on the second floors of buildings. Aim at the aliens between the eyes and the chest. Also, hit the eyes to make them turn from green to red. Earn an additional 100,000 points by being the first person in your car to push the red button. The maximum high score of 999,999. Take advantage of the single rider line on this super popular ride for extra practice.

Meet Alex the Lion!

Alex is an African lion and was the self-proclaimed king of the zoo in the Madagascar animated movies from DreamWorks. Fans can meet Alex and many of the DreamWorks characters on a Royal Caribbean Cruise! You can meet Alex the Lion from Madagascar on the Oasis of the Seas, just hours from Orlando.

DreamWorks Animation characters including Po of Kung Fu Panda; Shrek, Fiona and Puss in Boots of Shrek; and from Madagascar, Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien and the Penguins will be available for guests to meet during their cruise.

DreamWorks Experience activities onboard will include

• A DreamWorks Character breakfast in the main dining room
• ‘Meet and greet’ experiences throughout the day
• Photo opportunities with the characters
• Adventure Ocean programming featuring DreamWorks Animation
  • Story time
  • Dance parties
  • Adventures rooted in the popular character stories

The DreamWorks Experience is available on

• Quantum of the Seas®
• Allure of the Seas®
• Oasis of the Seas®
• Freedom of the Seas®
• Liberty of the Seas®
• Voyager of the Seas®
• Mariner of the Seas®
• Anthem of the Seas® 

Some ships sail from Port Canaveral which is only about an hour from Orlando! Other Florida departure ports are also available, so a Royal Caribbean Cruise can make a great addition to your Orlando area vacation. The DreamWorks Experience is available from other ports in the U.S. as well.

Are you planning a visit to Disney World in 2016?  You may want to plan your vacation around one of the incredible Disney World Special Events.  Some of these special events are free with your paid admission into the Disney Theme Parks.  Add some extra fun to your vacation with these fun Disney World special events.

Disney World Special Events

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January) — This annual event features a 26.2-mile adventure race through all four Disney theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and a half marathon. Also included in the weekend is Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, which combines Saturday’s half marathon and Sunday’s full marathon for 39.3 miles of fun, a two-day health expo and a 5K.

Atlanta Braves Spring Training (February-March) — The Atlanta Braves return to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February) — The predominantly women’s half marathon brings women of all ages together to celebrate all the qualities a princess possesses. The weekend features a two-day health and fitness expo geared towards women, a family fun run 5k and kids’ races. New in 2013 are the Disney Enchanted 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge, where participants run the 10K and half marathon over the course of 2 days.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March-May) — Future World and World Showcase are blooming with more than 30 million colorful blossoms, interactive garden activities for kids and workshops with national gardening experts during this annual spring festival at Epcot. While exploring the themed gardens, guests can taste sweets and savories from about a dozen food-and-beverage marketplaces surrounding the World Showcase Lagoon.

Night of Joy (September) — Top contemporary Christian music performers headline this annual celebration throughout Magic Kingdom. The long-running series has played to a combined audience in excess of a million.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (September-October) — A family-friendly fright-fest in Magic Kingdom featuring a children’s parade, trick-or-treating throughout the park, face painting, and more.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (September-November) — Savor fine wines and delectable cuisine during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival featuring live entertainment, guest chefs, culinary demonstrations, seminars and winemaker dinners.

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend (November) — The ultimate “Runners’ Night Out” features a half marathon at night.  After finishing, runners and their guests can celebrate their accomplishment at an exclusive after hours party inside the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.  The weekend also includes kids’ races, a family fun run 5K and a health and fitness expo.

Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort (November-January) — Walt Disney World Resort is all aglitter during the holiday season with dazzling lights, spirited song and even snow flurries. Here’s what’s in store: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom; Candlelight Processional at Epcot; plus caroling, tree lighting ceremonies and visits by Santa.

The Mouse Made EASY

Disney gurus Josh Humphrey of easyWDW.com and Dave Shute of yourfirstvisit.net have helped millions plan the Walt Disney World vacations of their dreams with practical advice and unique touring strategies. Now they’ve distilled their best advice into a book for both first-time visitors and “any-timers” who want to make their next vacation even more special.

We highly recommend reading The Easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit 2016! We have personally known and worked with Dave for over 10 years!  He is truly an expert in visiting Walt Disney World!

The easy Guide is an incredibly detailed, helpful resource covering all the most important planning aspects of your Walt Disney World vacation. You’ll learn the “easy” way to:

• Pick the Best Week: Month-by-month calendars of cost, weather, crowds, and special events help you pinpoint the best week to visit every month of the year
• Stay at the Best Hotel: Real world reviews and comparisons of all Walt Disney World resorts for any budget
• Eat the Best Food: Reviews of every Walt Disney World restaurant, including recommendations for the best character buffets and most romantic rendezvous
• Wait the Least Amount: Detailed touring plans make visiting the parks a snap with short waits and minimal walking
• Save the Most Time: With the most comprehensive guide to FastPass+ anywhere, you’ll have rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Soarin’ booked before you leave town
• Save the Most Money: Learn how to save thousands of dollars on everything from theme park tickets to resort stays

Whether it’s your first trip to Walt Disney World or your fortieth, The easy Guide will make it your best. Don’t go see Mickey without it. The 2016 edition of The easy Guide is available as a paperback and a Kindle book.

Remember that we also employ the recommendations of The easy Guide when we provide our free, concierge planning services to you!