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There are so many tasty treats at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando in Florida. This week, we hit Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to share our favorite snacks at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
What is your favorite snack at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Did it make our list?
Celebrate the spirit of the South Pacific at this oasis of tropical palms, lush vegetation and so much more.
From moonlit nights immersed in the outdoor island ambience to the exotic tastes of our world-class restaurants, discover the signature tropical atmosphere that’s made Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort a favorite Disney Destination.
Come along with us as we tour Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Are you ready to book your Polynesian escape to Disney’s Polynesian Resort?
Are you planning a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando? We have some exciting news! You get (2) amazing free perks when you book your tickets with us. Scroll down for all of the info!
@Universal Orlando
You can book a 1-Day Pass or a 3-Park 3-Day Pass for your family vacation. As a U-Preferred Agency, we work directly with Universal Orlando to price the best tickets for your family.
Are you ready to book your Universal Orlando tickets? Contact us to get prices for your family vacation.
Step into the heart of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Walt Disney World Resort. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design provides spectacular views of 4 lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home.
Delight in dazzling pool areas, exciting animal programs, and one of the largest collections of African art in the United States as you experience your own African safari adventure with a touch of Disney magic.
Come along with us as we tour Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort.
Are you ready to book your adventure to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?
In summer 2022, the Disney Wish will sail its inaugural season of 3-Night and 4-Night cruises. These cruises leave Port Canaveral and sail to Nassau and Castaway Cay.
The highly anticipated fifth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will greet its first guests on June 9, 2022, for a special five-night maiden voyage that includes two days at sea and stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay, a private tropical paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.
@Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish will whisk families to the blue skies and sunshine of the Bahamas. In Nassau, cruisers will enjoy breathtaking beaches and activities for everyone in the family as they swim, snorkel, shop and more in this popular vacation destination. At Castaway Cay, guests will explore a pristine island completely outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.
On these truly enchanting vacations, families will find everything they love about a Disney cruise — like dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, unique character encounters and signature Disney service — plus brand-new experiences aboard the Disney Wish, such as:
AquaMouse, the first-ever Disney attraction at sea that will immerse families in “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” animated shorts on a wild water ride with Mickey and Minnie.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience where favorite characters will perform live as guests dine.
Worlds of Marvel, the world’s first Marvel cinematic dining adventure where guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them.
Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, a high-end bar styled as a luxurious, yacht-class spaceship that will take guests on a first-of-its-kind tour of a galaxy far, far away.
We are so excited about the new Disney Wish. Are you ready to set sail? Call us at 877-918-8941 or request a price online for your Disney Cruise.
The Rosen Shingle Creek is located in an excellent part of Orlando. It is right down the road from SeaWorld Orlando and International Drive. This property is also a quick 10 minute drive to Disney World or Universal Orlando. Besides the perfect location, this hotel is truly an escape from the touristy side of Orlando. Rosen Shingle Creek is on 255 acres along Shingle Creek. This is an actual creek that is the headwaters of the Everglades.
We love the rooms at Rosen Shingle Creek. This hotel features 1,501 guest rooms in different layouts. During our recent visit, we got to stay in an Executive Suite and the Queen Bed Accommodations.
The Executive Suite is amazing! As soon as you walk into the Executive Suite, you will see the living room area. We love the decor and the bright colored paintings. Our kids immediately hopped on the comfortable couch.
Next to the living room is a huge table and chairs. This dining room is actually bigger than our table at home. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with your family. For me, it was the perfect spot to work during our vacation.
Next to the dining room, was a bar with mini refrigerator and microwave. They also had a pull down Murphy Bed. I loved the Murphy Bed. During the day, I could tuck it away to give us more space. Then in the evening hours, I would pull it down to sleep. The bed was so comfortable!
Our Executive Suite had a connecting door to the Double Queen room. This is where the kids slept during our vacation. This room featured (2) Queen Beds, desk/table, flat screen television, chair by the floor to ceiling window, and dresser.
I loved the attention to detail at the Rosen Shingle Creek. The rooms were elegant and comfortable for the whole family. One of our room favorites was the view from the room. We got an incredible view of the golf course and three pools at Rosen.
There is so much to love about this hotel. We spent several days just enjoying the resort. We never had to leave the property. You can enjoy the pools, dining, golf, trail, spa, outdoor games, spa, and more. Our two favorites are the pools and eating!
This resort has (4) amazing pools. One pool is a quiet pool, one family pool, and one lap pool. They also had a smaller shallow pool for the younger kids.
We spent most of our time at the family pool with the beach entry.
We also enjoyed one day in a cabana at the quiet pool. We love the cabana. You can watch tv, talk on the couches, or take a nap in the lounge chairs. We even ordered lunch from the cabana servers. The ceiling fan and dips in the pool kept us cool during the Florida heat.
Check out this delicious salad (called Cedar Key Salad). It was so refreshing for a hot summer day. The kids got hamburgers with french fries. I might have stolen a few fries from the kids! They were delish!
It is a relaxing way to enjoy a day by the pool. We highly recommend reserving a cabana during your stay at Rosen Shingle Creek.
There are (12) restaurants and dining options at Rosen Shingle Creek. You can enjoy a breakfast buffet at Osceola Cafe, lunch by the pool at Cat-tails, or dinner at Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria. There are so many dining options for every member of your family.
Many of the restaurants are located inside Rosen Shingle Creek near the lobby. These restaurants are located indoors, but looks like actual buildings. There was seating inside the restaurant or outside (like on a patio). As a Florida Resident, I love outdoor seating. This was even better, because you are not melting in the Florida heat.
Our favorite restaurant is the Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria with fresh made guacamole and sizzling fajitas. The whole family loves this dining experience.
If you are looking for a family getaway or hotel during your Orlando vacation, check out Rosen Shingle Creek.
Our team at Destinations in Florida is ready to help you plan your family vacation. Call us at 877-918-8941 or request a price online.
We love Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park at Universal Orlando Resort. As locals, we actually think this is the #1 water park in Orlando. Today, we share the top things to do at Universal’s Volcano Bay.
Ready to hit a water park?
One of our owners, Tim, shares the top things to do at Volcano Bay. You can watch the video or scroll down to read all of the highlights below.
The first thing to make our list is reserve rides using Tapu Tapu. When you arrive at the turnstiles at Volcano Bay Water Park you are given a free band called Tapu Tapu. This is a wristband that you will wear during your day at Volcano Bay. One of the coolest features of the Tapu Tapu is reserving wait times for rides.
@Universal Orlando Resort
Another feature of Tapu Tapu is the play experiences throughout Volcano Bay. By taping your Tapu Tapu throughout the water park you can create streams of water in Runamukka Reef, shoot water cannons at guests in the lazy river, or illuminate images in the volcano’s hidden caves. Your kids will love running around the park finding the play experiences.
Are you ready for some summer time fun at Universal’s Volcano Bay? Let us know in the comments.
Are you ready for some summer time fun at Universal’s Volcano Bay? Let us know in the comments.
@Universal Orlando Resort
If you have little ones in your family, they will love the Runamukka Reef and Tot Tiki Reef. This huge splash area for younger ones is filled with water fun. Kids can ride mini slides, splash around a water volcano, and get sprayed with water from a family of friendly tikis. There are lots of Tapu Tapu play experiences throughout this splash area, too. Even our teens love to wander around this section finding all of the fun!
If you are looking for a lazy river, grab a tube and relax on the Kopiko Wai Winding River. This lazy river winds throughout Volcano Bay with tropical landscape, sprays of water, and even a Stargazer’s Cavern. We love this lazy river! We normally ride it 2-3 times throughout our day at Volcano Bay.
@Universal Orlando Resort
Another top thing to do at Volcano Bay is eat! The dining options at Volcano Bay are unlike any I have found in a theme park, let alone a water park. From a taco stand to sushi you can literally eat your way around Volcano Bay. With 60 unique dining offerings you are sure to find some delicious treats during your day at Volcano Bay.
Are you ready for some summer time fun at Universal’s Volcano Bay? Let us know in the comments.
The most popular water ride at Volcano Bay is Krakatau Aqua Coaster. This is a four person water roller coaster. You are seated in a Polynesian canoe. You will slide upward through the mists and into the dark twists and turns within the volcano. You will end with a plunge through a shimmering waterfall. This ride will have your entire family screaming and laughing.
@Universal Orlando Resort
If you have little ones in your family, they will love the Runamukka Reef and Tot Tiki Reef. This huge splash area for younger ones is filled with water fun. Kids can ride mini slides, splash around a water volcano, and get sprayed with water from a family of friendly tikis. There are lots of Tapu Tapu play experiences throughout this splash area, too. Even our teens love to wander around this section finding all of the fun!
If you are looking for a lazy river, grab a tube and relax on the Kopiko Wai Winding River. This lazy river winds throughout Volcano Bay with tropical landscape, sprays of water, and even a Stargazer’s Cavern. We love this lazy river! We normally ride it 2-3 times throughout our day at Volcano Bay.
@Universal Orlando Resort
Another top thing to do at Volcano Bay is eat! The dining options at Volcano Bay are unlike any I have found in a theme park, let alone a water park. From a taco stand to sushi you can literally eat your way around Volcano Bay. With 60 unique dining offerings you are sure to find some delicious treats during your day at Volcano Bay.
Are you ready for some summer time fun at Universal’s Volcano Bay? Let us know in the comments.
A new Halloween-themed event is spiriting its way into Magic Kingdom Park this fall at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. “Disney After Hours Boo Bash” will take place select nights Aug. 10 – Oct. 31, 2021, from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Cavalcade Parades
Special cavalcades full of characters popping up throughout the night including “Mickey’s Happy Halloween Cavalcade” featuring Mickey Mouse and friends dressed for the occasion. In the “Disney Villains Halloween Cavalcade,” villains will take to the street and celebrate their favorite time of the year. “Jack’s Nightmare Cavalcade” will feature Jack Skellington, Sally and Oogie Boogie riding down the parade path to “This Is Halloween.” Maleficent will also make an appearance in the form of a fire-breathing dragon.
Disney Characters
Favorite friends lurking about, from the lovely Miss Carlotta at the Haunted Mansion to Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale in their Halloween best, with other surprise guests spotted across the park. Guests can also stop and listen to the Cadaver Dans during performances on Main Street, U.S.A.
@Disney (Kent Phillips, photographer)
Complimentary Treats
Complimentary snacks such as ice cream novelties and popcorn, along with select beverages included in event admission.
Shorter Lines
Less wait times at 20 attractions including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion attraction, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain and more.
Specialty Treats
A variety of specialty food and drinks available for purchase. Some of the treats include:
Halloween Decor
Decorations on Main Street, U.S.A., will receive a magical transformation during event nights in October. Walt Disney Imagineering, in partnership with the Walt Disney World Resort Holiday Services team, will blend a fall look with the enchanting story of Cinderella by creating special pumpkin coach decorations. This new décor will add to the park’s sparkling EARidescence during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” that begins Oct. 1, honoring the 50thanniversary of Walt Disney World.
Costumes
All foolish mortals can dress in costume for “Disney After Hours Boo Bash,” and can get their fill of Halloween candy while trick-or-treating around the park. Costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children under 14 years old.
Tickets go on sale on June 15. Call us at 877-918-8941, message us on Messenger, or request a price online.
Tickets for this hauntingly fun-filled three-hour event will go on sale June 15 and can be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can book their tickets as early as June 8. Tickets start at $129 – $139, plus tax for August/September nights and $159 – $169, plus tax for October nights, and $199, plus tax for Halloween. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of a $10 discount for event nights in August and September. A limited number of tickets are available, so get yours soon!
This special event runs during these dates in August, September, and October.
Are you excited about this new Disney After Hours event?
SeaWorld Orlando’s award-winning summer event, Electric Ocean returns this summer with more hours of fun featuring new daytime experiences and nighttime favorites. We love that this event is FREE with your paid admission into SeaWorld Orlando. Electric Ocean runs on select days and nights thru September 6.
Scroll down to learn more about the Electric Ocean at SeaWorld Orlando.
@SeaWorld Orlando
New for 2021! Electric Current: For guests that love to move and groove and don’t want to wait for Club Sea Glow’s nightly dance party, guests can get the party started early with hot music at The Waterfront as our DJ transforms the night into an all-ages dance party beneath the waves. Only during Electric Ocean evenings.
New for 2021! Rescue Tails: Rescue Tails is an educational presentation that teaches guests about SeaWorld’s commitment to animal care and rescue. Guests will meet many of the park’s rescued animals, such as birds of prey, primates, and reptiles, and learn about their unique stories! Show performs at Seaport Theater on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during Electric Ocean dates.
@SeaWorld Orlando
Back by Popular Demand! Ignite: The only full-length theme park nighttime fireworks presentation in central Florida. Surf the wave to a whole new level with Ignite, a firework and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliant colors of the sea to the skies above the park. Guests may view the fireworks from all around SeaWorld’s large central lake, including from Bayside Stadium, The Waterfront, and the Orca Encounter Pathway. Showtime is at 10:00 p.m. during Electric Ocean evenings.
Back by Popular Demand! Club Sea Glow: As the sun goes down, the party amps up at Bayside Stadium, where a DJ will be mixing dance music for those waiting for fireworks to begin. Featuring dancers and high energy atmosphere acts, they are there to get the party started! Starting at 8:00 p.m. during Electric Ocean evenings.
Back by Popular Demand! Elmo Rocks: Elmo and his friends save the day by forming their own rock n’ roll band after their favorite band cancelled their concert appearance! Elmo, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Bert, and Ernie go through the process of auditioning and rehearsals to transform into The Rockin’ Elmo Band. Awesome music, fun dancing, and audience participation are all included in this gnarly journey to put on the greatest rock concert ever! Show performs at Nautilus Theater during Electric Ocean dates.
@SeaWorld Orlando
Are you ready for Electric Ocean at SeaWorld? Call us at 877-918-8941 or request a price for your Orlando vacation.
Today is a big day at California Adventure at Disneyland in California. Avengers Campus officially opens today!
At Avengers Campus, the all-new land inside Disney California Adventure Park, Super Heroes from across time and space have arrived and are dedicated to training the next generation of Super Heroes. Kids and guests of all ages will team up with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at this new complex and find their power to become a part of a bigger universe, all beginning June 4, 2021, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
@Disneyland (Photographer Richard Harbaugh)
Throughout Avengers Campus, Super Heroes come to life in ways that are more exciting than ever. The campus is comprised of several heroic locations, hosted by a Super Hero or an ally, who will share their unique powers, technology and knowledge with recruits. As guests of all ages explore the campus, they will discover the hero within themselves as they experience a series of immersive heroic encounters, cosmic wonders and unexpected events that place them in the center of the action.
The Amazing Spider-Man!
At Avengers Campus, guests will find Spider-Man visiting the Worldwide Engineering Brigade, also known as WEB. WEB brings together bright young innovators like Peter Parker who are inventing new technologies that allow everyone to become Super Heroes.
Throughout the day, recruits have the chance to witness Spider-Man swing into action high above Avengers Campus with gravity-defying, acrobatic feats never before seen in a Disney park. Spider-Man will flip 60 to 65 feet in the air above the rooftop of the WEB building. Following those stunning moves, Spider-Man will swing down off the building to ground level to say hello and inspire the “new recruits” he meets on campus.
Guests may also notice that their friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will be wearing a Disney Parks exclusive WEB Slinger suit.
Doctor Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts
At the site of Ancient Sanctum, deep in the heart of Avengers Campus, guests may encounter the Master of Mystic Arts himself, Doctor Strange. From time to time, Doctor Strange steps forth through an interdimensional portal to engage guests with illusions, sorcery and tales to astonish from his collection of mysterious relics. He may even bring other heroes as he opens the portals, from time to time. At night, the Ancient Sanctum glows even more vividly with majestic colors and lights, pulsating with mystic energy.
@Disneyland (Photographer Christian Thompson)
The Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje
Recruits at Avengers Campus are invited to join Black Panther’s loyal bodyguards, the Dora Milaje, in training sessions in the courtyard near Avengers Headquarters. Here, they may learn wisdom from Wakanda and participate in a series of strength and skill exercises.
Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje, debuts for the first time in a Disney park at Avengers Campus, as she leads this training encounter.
The Invincible Iron Man
Iron Man can be seen in Avengers Campus, as it was Tony Stark himself that offered up the site for this new place to recruit and train the next generation of heroes. In front of Avengers Headquarters, Iron Man proudly welcomes the recruits in a memorable, heroic encounter.
At Avengers Campus, Iron Man is seen showcasing his newest armor, the Mark 80, which is a Disney Parks exclusive design.
Avengers, Assemble!
But it’s not only Super Heroes that guests will find in the land. The villainous Taskmaster, who will have a role in the upcoming film, “Black Widow,” will be seen for the first time at a Disney park at Avengers Campus. Taskmaster’s abilities include photographic reflexes, easily replicating a Super Heroes’ moves and fighting style, making this new villain a balanced foe for the Campus heroes. “Black Widow” will release simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access for a one time additional fee on July 9.
When guests least expect it, Taskmaster and a gang of mercenaries may show up at Avengers Campus, looking to break into Avengers Headquarters and get their hands on something valuable. Out of nowhere, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes arrive to save the day. Guests may see Black Widow, Black Panther or Captain America spring into action, heading off the threat from these foes.
Heroes in Action
As things return to normal outside of Avengers Headquarters, guests may find additional heroes (and possibly even some foes) greeting recruits or engaging in missions of their own.
@Disneyland (Photographer Ty Popko)
Some of these characters may include:
Are you ready to meet your favorite Marvel characters?