I am writing this blog post from my laptop by the pool at one of our favorite beaches in Florida.  Is this a regular occurrence for me?  YES!  That is truly the life of an Independent Travel Agent with Destinations to Explore.  We get to take advantage of amazing travel deals and bring the whole family.  So, I just grab the laptop and my phone and work on the road.  It is certainly the ultimate life!  You can join our agency and enjoy this same incredible life.  We are currently looking for business owners as Independent Travel Agents to start their business this fall.  If you are looking for a new business opportunity, with little up front costs and resources to help build your business, learn more about joining our team.

Disney Cruise Line has something to offer everyone.  Here are ten reasons why you should experience the magic of a Disney Cruise.

1. Food: There are three main dining restaurants on every Disney Cruise ship. With the rotational dining concept you will get to experience the delicious food, exceptional service, and great entertainment that make Disney Cruises phenomenal.
2. Youth Clubs: Marvel’s Avengers Academy, Pixie Hollow, Andy’s Room, Mickey Mouse Club, and more all await children ages 3-12. Disney has themed youth clubs for kids of all ages with trained counselors to make sure everyone is having a great time.
3. Broadway Style Shows: You will experience several Disney themed live shows throughout your cruise vacation. These heartfelt musicals are Broadway-calibur shows that are sure to please the entire family.
4. Staterooms: The staterooms on Disney Cruise Line are spacious and designed with families in mind. You will find little Disney touches throughout your room and the stateroom stewards offer top notch service.
5. First Run Movies: The Buena Vista Theatre screens first run movies on every Disney cruise. Movies premiere on the ship the same day they premier in movie theaters.
6. Deck Parties: The party begins as soon as you set sail on a Disney Cruise. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy all welcome you onboard during the Sail Away celebration. Pirate Night even includes fireworks at sea.
7. Adult Only Areas: Disney Cruise Line has many adult only spaces onboard. Adults can relax in the spa or lounge around the quiet cove pool. Palo and Remy are the adult only fine dining restaurants. Nightclubs, lounges, and bars all cater to adults each night.
8. Castaway Cay: Disney’s private island paradise has private cabanas, 2 water play areas, a family beach, an adult only beach, and a teen only activity area. You can book port adventures such as kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing, or the stingray adventure.
9. Character Greetings: Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella, Snow White, and the gang will all be onboard. You will have opportunities to take pictures with the characters every day of your cruise. Characters host game shows, throw dance parties, and make surprise appearances all around the ship.
10. Exceptional Service: Disney is known for its service and attention to detail. As soon as you walk onboard a Disney Cruise ship you will be treated just like a prince or princess.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

Are you looking for something fun and different on your Walt Disney World vacation? Mickey’s Backyard BBQ is your answer!  This Disney dining event is held seasonally at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, just a quick boat or bus ride away from the Magic Kingdom.

The all-you-care-to enjoy dinner and show is offered on Thursdays and Saturdays from March through December. The pavilion is an open-air facility that gives the feel of a real cookout with a fabulous, toe-tappin’ country-western band.

A variety of picnic favorites are offered family-style such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and ribs. Side dishes include corn on the cob, cowboy beans, macaroni salad, tossed salad, potato salad and coleslaw. Watermelon and ice cream are also included.  Drinks include lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch, beer and wine.

Guests of all ages can dance along at the hoedown with their favorite Disney characters such as:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Goofy
• Chip ‘n Dale

This is a great opportunity for interaction with the characters without having to wait in a long line. The characters will mingle with guests and pose for photos and autographs too. There will be line dancing, rope tricks and more in a laid back atmosphere filled with tons of fun!

Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made 180 days in advance. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, this will take two of your dining credits.  Come along and enjoy the food, entertainment and fun atmosphere at Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.  You’re in for a real Disney dining treat!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris” — Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail. She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at 804 405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

You’ve booked your Disney Cruise vacation so what’s next? Now, you get to start planning all of the details to make your vacation even more amazing. Login to the Planning Center on the Disney Cruise Line website for all of your planning needs. You’ll find lots of great information on this site. There are details about the ship, packing list, ground transportation, driving directions, and more. Let’s look at what else you can do in the planning center.

Add Activities: You can book port adventures, make spa appointments, make dining reservations, and schedule time for your little one in the nursery. Activities can be added to each day of your cruise.

Buy Gifts: There are lots of gifts available that can be delivered to you stateroom including flowers, beverage packages, and Disney Cruise Line merchandise. You can even have your room decorated to welcome your family onboard or birthday celebration.

Schedule a Character Call: Choose between Mickey, Goofy, or Minnie and Mickey. Then select the date and time you want your character choice to give you a call.

Online Check In: Fill out your online check in at least 4 days before your cruise. You’ll save time checking in at the port if you fill out all of the information online. You will enter information about each guest in your room, documentation, transportation arrangements, set up your onboard account, and review your cruise contract.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

 

 

 

Very MerryTime Cruises aboard Disney Cruise Line begin in early November. In preparation for all the work in store for him this winter, Santa recently took a vacation onboard the Disney Dream. The video above shows highlights of Santa’s summer vacation onboard the Disney Dream. Santa spent time in the youth club, spa, and even got to experience the AquaDuck. Santa remembered to pack his fish extender so kids could drop off their wish lists.

Santa will be back in November for all of the Very MerryTime Cruises. Santa will have meet and greet opportunities for families to take lots of photos. The ship will be filled with holiday décor including a life-sized gingerbread house, 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, poinsettias, and shimmering lights. Castaway Cay will be decorated with snow flurries and a Christmas tree. In addition to all the fun Santa had on his cruise, there will be extra holiday themed entertainment on every Very MerryTime Cruise. You won’t want to miss the Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party with candy-cane limbo, dancing and games. Kids will help light the tree during King Triton’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. Call me today to book your holiday cruise on Disney Cruise Line.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World is chock full of excitement! Thrill seekers and coaster lovers over 48 inches tall will definitely get their fix as they roll away in the dark on a stretch limo on this attraction.  It is located at the end of Sunset Boulevard near the Tower of Terror. You can’t miss the 40 foot electric guitar that adorns the front of the attraction!

As with all Disney attractions, there is a story and a theme!  So the story goes – You’re touring the G-Force recording studio where the band, Aerosmith is finishing a recording session. The band’s manager tells the group that they are late for a concert and the band invites you to accompany them. The fun begins when you hop into a stretch limo and hang on as you blast off, from 0-60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds! As you speed through night scenes of Hollywood, you will experience three different inversions. There are 2 loops and a corkscrew that will blow you away!

One of the best parts of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the soundtrack. Your stretch limo is outfitted with 125-speaker, 24 sub-woofer, 32,000 watt audio system.  Since each limo plays different Aerosmith songs, your trip will be different each time you ride! Aerosmith songs may include:

• “Walk This Way”
• “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”
• “Sweet Emotion”
• “Back in the Saddle”

Additionally, the classic tune “Love in an Elevator” has been customized to “Love in a Roller Coaster” specifically for this attraction.

Be sure to include Rock ‘n’ Roller Coasteron your next visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a rocking good time!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

Disney Cruise Line loves guests of all ages. Babies are welcome onboard and have their own special spaces on each cruise ship. It’s a Small World Nursery is the baby hot spot on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Magic. Flounder’s Reef Nursery is located on the Disney Wonder. Babies enjoy story time, arts and crafts, and lots of other fun activities in the nursery. Parents can enjoy some time in the adult only areas or take a shore excursion while trained counselors look after their babies/toddlers. The nursery costs $9 per hour for the first child and $8 per hour for additional children in the same family. Reservations can be 75-120 days before your cruise (based on Castaway Club level). You can also make reservations once you’re onboard if space is available. Effective July 18, 2014, the minimum age to sail aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships will increase from 12 weeks to 6 months of age on most itineraries for all sailings after January 1, 2015. Babies must be 1 year of age for Transatlantic, Hawai’i and Panama Canal itineraries.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

While most of us enjoy a warm, sunny day, we’re often unprepared for the heat and humidity of Central Florida during most months of the year. Here are some of my favorite ways to stay cool while visiting Walt Disney World.

• Avoid the mid-day sun. Plan to visit the parks early in the day. You will enjoy the cooler temperatures and avoid the crowds of the afternoon. Take a break at your resort and return later in the evening when the sun is less intense.
• Stay hydrated! Be sure to drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they can dehydrate you. Ice water is free at any Disney counter. You might want to bring something to flavor it a bit.
• Carry a misting fan. These little items can be invaluable. You really don’t need one for everybody in the family, just carry one and pass it around!
• Visit your resort swimming pool or better yet, a Disney Water Park! The Water Park Fun & More ticket option added to your vacation package is a perfect choice!
• Take advantage of the many splash & play locations at the parks and Downtown Disney. A favorite is the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park!
• Choose attractions with indoor queues during the hottest part of the day. Enjoy one of the many shows in air conditioned comfort.
• Go shopping or visit one of the Disney Resort Hotel lobbies.
• Stay at the park if an afternoon rain shower pops up.  Crowds will diminish and the rain will cool you down!
• Wear lightweight, loose clothing in light colors. Dark colors absorb heat from the sun.
• Take your time and walk slower. Don’t work up a sweat! You will enjoy the sights and sounds of the park better if you pace yourself.
• Treat yourself to a Mickey Bar, Dole Whip or other frozen treat – a no-brainer!

What are your favorite ways to cool off while visiting Walt Disney World?  Feel free to share your suggestions!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

You will have an amazing time on your Disney Cruise. While you’re planning your dream vacation, you may also want to think about keepsakes to take home as a reminder of your great vacation. There are lots of ways to commemorate the fun you had onboard your Disney Cruise. Here are a couple ideas:

• Passport Keepsake- Create your own passport at home and bring it with you on your Disney Cruise. You will meet cast members from lots of different countries once you are onboard. They can give you information about their country or you can just get them to sign your passport.
• Vinylmation Keepsake- You can use a pillow case, photo frame, t-shirt or my favorite a vinylmation for your one of a kind keepsake. Pick up a 9” vinylmation before your cruise. You can find them at D Street at Downtown Disney or in a store at in the Disney Parks. On the first night of your voyage take your item to guest services and request signatures from the characters onboard. You will be given the option of receiving signatures from all characters, Disney main, or Disney Princesses. On the last night your cruise your item will be delivered to your stateroom, signed, and ready for display when you return home.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

Snacking is one of the best parts of a Walt Disney World vacation. There are many delicious treats to be discovered throughout the parks. Today, I’m sharing my favorites from each of the parks.

Magic Kingdom

•  Dole Whip Pineapple Float at Aloha Isle in Adventureland- If you haven’t tried this, you’re missing a fantastic treat on a hot Florida afternoon! The combination of pineapple juice and tangy Dole Whip is the perfect thirst quencher.

Epcot Center

•  Caramel Toffee Bark at Karamell–Küche in Germany- This is a huge slab of goodness that is hard to eat all at once.  The combination of buttery toffee, milk chocolate and nuts is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!

Hollywood Studios

•  Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls on Sunset Blvd- This cupcake is gigantic and easily split between two (or more!). The cupcake is moist and filled with a generous amount of chocolate ganache and topped with crushed Butterfinger pieces. Yum!

Animal Kingdom

•  Chicken Fried Rice at Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe in Asia- While this isn’t a sweet treat, it is a nice size portion and perfect for an afternoon snack. The rice is tasty and well seasoned. Give it a try!

Take time to savor some delicious snacks on your next Disney World vacation! What are your favorites?

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.