Yes, that is the super delicious, refreshing, ‘ever-impressive, often-imitated, but never duplicated’… Dole Whip! Let me pass you a napkin… you’ve got a bit of drool coming down your face.

How do you enjoy your Dole Whip? When selecting your delectable treat, does the Dole Whip soft-serve of pineapple, vanilla or orange, catch your eye first? Or do you prefer a swirl? How about the Pineapple Float? With your choice of soft serve with pineapple juice. Or are you rebel… and go with Coke or Root Beer and vanilla soft serve?

Which sweet treat is your favorite?

Written by Veronica Mazarelli: Veronica 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 Veronica at veronica@destinationsinflorida.com.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

For the first time in its 18-year history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut new day-into-nighttime experiences that celebrate the magic of nature.

• The park’s iconic Tree of Life awakens each night amid a lively celebration of Discovery Island music and dance. Through stunning visuals, animal spirits appear and enchanted fireflies reveal stories of wonder as the tree morphs to showcase the magic of nature.

• Kilimanjaro Safaris transitions to a new nighttime adventure in the extended orange glow of a setting sun. For the first time, hyenas and African wild dogs join the safari trail creature feature.

• Discovery River becomes the stage for music and pageantry in a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film The Jungle Book. The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic is a live show filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.

• Hungry adventurers can have lunch or dinner at the new Tiffins signature restaurant on Discovery Island. Guests seated in the restaurant’s travel-themed dining rooms or on the waterfront patio can sip libations and savor dishes featuring African, Asian and South American flavors.

• Across the park, guests can experience wondrous new nighttime experiences and entertainment celebrating marvels in nature and enjoy long-time favorites such as Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids and more – in a whole new light.

Sapphire Falls and Skull Island: Reign of Kong has opened at Universal Orlando Resort. Sapphire Falls checked in their first guest last week. This

Sapphire Falls checked in their first guest last week. This Caribbean inspired resort is waiting for you. Also, Kong has returned to Universal Orlando in the all new attraction Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Learn more in this weeks’ video  by clicking here. 

 

If you have kids between the ages of 2 and 10, you may want to consider adding a day at Legoland Florida during your next Florida vacation!

Legoland Florida Resort is located where Cypress Gardens once sat in Winter Haven, Florida, approximately 45 minutes away from Orlando. Legoland Florida Resort features both a theme park and a water park with more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions. In addition to your regular park admission, you can even add Legoland’s character breakfast with some of your favorite LEGO characters for $30 per person! From thrill rides to attractions made with little ones in mind, there is something for every member of your family to enjoy.

One of my favorite things about Legoland Florida is that they have lego tables inside the queue of each attraction to help your kids pass the time before they get to the enjoy the attraction. There are signs above each table encouraging the kids to come and play while mom and dad save their spot in line.

Be sure to check for special events happening during your visit such as Legoland Night Lights this summer, Brick or Treat in October, Christmas Bricktacular in December, or Kid’s New Year’s Eve on December 31. Many of these events are included at no additional charge with your regular park admission.

Tip: If possible, don’t bring a bag to the park with you. Legoland Florida does not allow bags of any kind, hats, or sunglasses on most of their attractions so you’ll either have to leave it with a non-rider or at the exit of the ride (where Legoland is not responsible for lost or stolen items).

Written by Siera Duiser: Siera Duiser is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and 2010, 2011, & 2012 Universal Studios Travel Agency of the Year. She loves helping plan magical and memorable 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.

Disney Springs and Disney’s Water Parks Make a Splash

Inspired by Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs is a charming district filled with unique retailers and restaurants from award-winning chefs. Throughout the summer, new stores and restaurants will open as Disney Springs more than doubles the number of retail, dining and other venues for guests.

• As Disney Springs continues to expand and diversify its dining, shopping and entertainment, more exciting high-profile tenants are coming onboard, including Anthropologie, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Lucky Brand, among others. Other new shops opening in 2016 include Zara, Tommy Bahama and UNIQLO.

• More than 30 new tenants will be coming to Disney Springs this summer, including retail shops and dining venues.

• Home to world-class dining, Disney Springs is shaping up to be a culinary dream. With many unique flavors, there is something for all different tastes with exquisite selections such as STK, Frontera Cocina and Morimoto Asia.

• More new eateries are gearing up to open in the coming year, including Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar by Chef Art Smith; Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, a modern-day “pizza joint” with artisanal pies; and the reimagined, Planet Hollywood Observatory with new outdoor terrace and live entertainment.

• Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Cocina) and Chef Art Smith (Homecoming) join master Chef Masaharu Morimoto in a growing collection of James Beard Award winning chefs at Disney Springs.

• At Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba,” the new B-Boys hip-hop, breakdancing threesome showcases a rare mix of rhythm, strength and “how-did-they-do-that?” moves. As part of the show’s ongoing evolution, the masterful Aerial Bamboo act joins recent additions of madcap clowns and a breathtaking rolla bolla juggling act.

Meanwhile, Disney’s Water Parks ramp up with playful spirits and summer fun faster than Olaf can beg for warm hugs.

• At Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Olaf from Disney’s animated hit “Frozen,” will be living his “In Summer” dream as he and Kristoff host the “Frozen Games” of friendly, fun competitions that run through Aug. 21.

• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park castaways can splash down on a sandy summer beach with a cold ale and savory snack after a wild slide on Crush ‘n’ Gusher water coaster.

Disney guests will have a magical summer experience wherever they play, dine, relax or celebrate at Walt Disney World theme parks, entertainment venues and resort hotels. For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, visit www.disneyworld.com and www.disneyparksblog.com.

Disney Springs Offers World Class Dining, Unique Shopping and Nightly Entertainment

This summer Disney Springs is the place to be by day and by night! With a Grand Opening Summer Celebration taking place all season long, Disney Springs features an array of hard-to-pass-up deals and a variety of delectable new dining options at the newest neighborhood–Town Center, plus free nightly entertainment featuring more than 20 different acts performing across all four neighborhoods – The Marketplace, Westside, The Landing, and Town Center.

 

To kick off the grand opening season, on July 15, the best of summer and Central Florida came together to celebrate Disney Springs-style – in Town Center, with an outdoor party under the stars where guests strolled into all sorts of discoveries designed to delight the senses — renowned chefs serving up scrumptious samples from their restaurants, performances by nationally recognized entertainers, and proprietors showcasing their products and store designs that make shopping at Disney Springs simply special.

Wrapped in Florida-inspired, made-for-strolling promenades, arcing footbridges, flowing streams and waterfront charm, Disney Springs treats Walt Disney World Resort guests to an exciting blend of shopping, dining and entertainment with a Disney touch. By day or night guests can expect a vibrant scene at Disney Springs, whether they are shopping world-class brands, enjoying high-quality entertainment, having that special dining experience, pleasure boating on Village Lake or hopping a balloon skyward for spectacular views of Walt Disney World and beyond.

Now and every day, guests can enjoy the benefits of a dramatically transformed exciting new waterfront district for world-class shopping, unique dining, and high-quality entertainment featuring more than 150 establishments across its four neighborhoods.

Discover Disney Springs like never before! Here are just a few of the highlights:

Town Center – Spectacular Shopping and Award-winning chefs

• Some of the most unique and recognizable names in retail such as UNIQLO, Vince Camuto, Anthropologie, Zara, Lilly Pulitzer, Columbia Sportswear, LACOSTE, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Oakley all call Town Center home.
• Among new dining choices awaiting Town Center guests are restaurants developed by James Beard award-winning chefs. Frontera Cocina serves up gourmet Mexican cuisine and creative cocktails from the menu envisioned by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, a six-time James Beard Foundation winner. Chef Art Smith, two-time winner of the James Beard Award brings a unique taste of gourmet southern cuisine and Florida agriculture to the heart of Disney Springs with Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine.

The Landing – Inspired dining, breathtaking waterfront views, and unique boutiques

• High-quality retailers including Erwin Pearl for fashion jewelry and Havaianas for sandals are found along lantern-lined byways.
• Dine off a shipshape menu at The BOATHOUSE or enjoy, at Morimoto Asia, Pan-Asian cuisine from celebrity chef Matsaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame. STK Orlando offers guests a fine dining experience set in chic, contemporary surroundings. Finish off the evening with a relaxing stroll to grab a signature gelato at Vivoli Gelateria or a crafted cocktail at Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar.

The Marketplace — Family-friendly delights for guests of all ages

• Beautiful waterside shopping that combines new experiences such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded new Bibbity Bobbity Boutique inside the newly re-designed World of Disney store.
• Nearby, the new Lime garage makes getting to the Marketplace a breeze

The West Side – Exuberant entertainment retail and dining options

From new acts at Cirque du Soleil to iconic restaurants to colorful food trucks to bowling with a stylized twist at Splitsville, West Side offers something for everyone. There is even the opportunity to lift off in a tethered balloon. Characters in Flight rises from the banks of Village Lake for eye-popping, 360-degree views (on a clear day you can see Florida’s east coast).

Two new slot-smart parking decks where green lights indicate available spaces make parking convenient to the entire Disney Springs scene – and it’s free. Valet parking also is available. Disney Springs is easily accessed from I-4, Central Florida’s major interstate, and connected to the rest of Walt Disney World Resort by motor coach and watercraft.

Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming has opened at Disney Springs. Offering classic Florida and Southern food, this restaurant is a must go to. Also, you can now enjoy a Star Wars themed dessert park at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

All these and so much more in this week’s episode of the Around the Mouse. You can watch the video by clicking on this link and even downloading a copy for your computer or phone.

 

If you have been to Disney World, it is no surprise to you that everything can add up rather fast. But Walt Disney World does offer numerous free activities available to you and your family. Over the years, our family has found some favorite free activities but our favorites are always changing as there are so many free activities available. Some of our favorites have been riding the monorail while in the front with the driver, partaking in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, sampling drinks at Club Cool in Epcot and experiencing night vision at Animal Kingdom Lodge. No matter the age of your children there are suitable free activities for all

For your next Walt Disney World vacation with kids make sure to add these FREE activities to your itinerary.

1. Become a Wilderness Explorer at Animal Kingdom Park when you collect over 30 badges as you complete challenges all while learning about cultures around the world as well as wildlife.
2. Enjoy fireside marshmallows and campfire activities at select Disney Resort locations. Make sure to check-out the campfire activities at Fort Wilderness for a special meeting with Chip and Dale. (Choose to bring your own marshmallows and sticks or purchase a kit)
3. Check-out the “Movies Under the Stars” outdoor movies on select nights at Disney Resorts.
4. Swing by Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A. for a free pixie dust of hair confetti.
5. Make a pit stop at any Kidcot Fun Stop around World Showcase at Epcot for a kid friendly craft as well as fun interaction with a Cast Member from each country.

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.

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” immerses guests in a 23-minute royal musical celebration on the Cinderella Castle stage at Magic Kingdom Park. Mickey Mouse and his pals unite in a tale of friendship featuring songs and characters from Disney’s contemporary classics “Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.”

“In ‘Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,’ 15 Disney characters from different stories come together to showcase how diversity and the discoveries you make through friendships shape who you are,” said Show Director, Walt Disney World Entertainment, Tara Anderson.

From the land of the bewitching bayous, Goofy has invited Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party.

Donald Duck brings some new friends he met in the land of the enchanted woods, where Daisy Duck introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn. Finally, Mickey Mouse shares a surprise with Minnie Mouse, as he has traveled to the land of the mystic mountains to invite Olaf, Princess Anna, and Queen Elsa, who swirls a blast of her icy magic.

The celebration culminates in a grand dance, marked by a magical daytime fireworks finale.

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” is presented daily at 10:30a.m., 11:35a.m., 1:05p.m., 2:05p.m., 4:15p.m. and 5:15p.m.

Every Year It’s A Small World ride at Disneyland gets an extreme makeover. While you probably expect Disneyland to throw some lights up over the outside, you may not realize how almost the entire building in and out is transformed. From the wreaths that adorn the front of each ship, the added musical selections of Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells, and to the added finale of the show. I know you may be concerned but don’t worry; you’ll still get to have your favorite tune “It’s A Small World” stuck in your head when the ride is over.

Do not skip by thinking that the outside is all there is. You will want to make sure you get aboard your boat, with it’s wreath, to join in the holiday celebrations from around the world. There aren’t many areas in the ride that haven’t been touched to showcase traditions from around the world. The children give the holiday greeting from their countries while a mixture of Christmas and original songs are sung. The ride includes so many updates to their ride that it’s not to be missed. Don’t close your eyes at the end, though; the gigantic finale is a sight unto itself!

Written By Daniel: Daniel is an agent with Destinations In Florida travel agency and travels as often as possible. His goal is to ensure that all of his guests receive the best vacation planning possible. Reach out to him at any time via email or Facebook.