First-Ever Details Revealed for Universal’s Volcano Bay

Inspired by locations including Bali, the Middle East, Europe and all across the United States, Universal’s Volcano Bay will be a water park like no other!

One of the first goals is to eliminate hassles for guests so they got rid of long lines. Guests don’t have to carry their tube. Amenities like dining are spread out through the park. At a vast 28 acres, Volcano Bay will transport you to a lush, tropical oasis inspired by the Pacific isles.

Volcano Bay is made up of four incredibly themed areas with Polynesian influences ranging from Easter Island, Hawaii, New Zealand and more. Here’s what you’ll find in each area.

Krakatau:
At the heart of the park, you’ll see the 200-foot-tall volcano called Krakatau. By day, you’ll see its majestic waterfalls. And by night, the volcano will illuminate with blazing lava.

• Three distinctive body slides are found at the rear of the volcano, and each starts off with surprise doors that drop out from beneath you:
  • Ko’okiri Body Plunge: A racing, 70-degree drop that will plummet 125-feet through the center of Krakatau. It will be the world’s first slide to travel through a pool filled with guests.
  • Kala and Ta Nui Serpentine Body Slides: Two intertwining slides where you’ll fall freely along 124 twisting feet.
• Punga Racers: A high-speed race through four different enclosed slides featuring manta-shaped mats.
• Secret Attraction: I can’t talk about this one yet, but it’ll be like nothing else in the park.

Wave Village:
Located at the base of Krakatau, Wave Village is a perfect place to soak in the sun and relax on the sandy shores. It includes:

• Waturi Beach: A sparkling, multi-directional wave pool where you can swim, relax on the sand or indulge in private, one- or two-story cabanas.
• The Reef: An adjacent leisure pool with calmer waters and exciting views of riders speeding through the Ko’okiri Body Plunge.

River Village:
River Village offers several family-friendly attractions and experiences and features:

• Kopiko Wai Winding River: A gentle, winding river that passes through the volcano’s hidden caves, featuring spontaneous water effects and a journey through the cave of starlight.
• Tot Tiki Reef: A whimsical toddler play area with spraying Maori fountains, slides and a kid-size volcano.
• Runamukka Reef: A three-story water playground inspired by the coral reef overflowing with twisting slides, sprinklers and more.
• Honu: An adventurous, multi-passenger raft ride that will soar across a dual wall.
• Ika Moana: A twisting, multi-passenger raft ride that will glide across bubbling geysers.

Rainforest Village:
Rainforest Village features an incredible assortment of attractions for thrill-seekers, including:

• Maku: North America’s first “saucer ride”, sending multi-passenger rafts speeding around three saucer-shaped curves.
• Puihi: A breath-taking multi-passenger raft ride that will plunge you into darkness before bursting into a funnel and launching into a zero-gravity drop.
• Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides: Two twisting, adrenaline-pumping slides that launch you four- or six-feet above the water at the end.
• TeAwa The Fearless River: An action-packed, racing torrent river where you’ll have to hang tight in your inner tube amidst roaring, whitewater rapids.
• Taniwha Tubes: Four unique Easter Island-inspired slides with rafts for single or double riders.
• Puka Uli Lagoon: A tranquil pool where you can swim and relax.

 

You’d be hard-pressed to find something as legendary as the Hogwarts Express to invoke a little wizard envy in the Muggle world. This iconic red and black engine, which is known for transporting young wizards and witches across the English countryside to Hogwarts, and which is featured so prominently in the Harry Potter stories, is a magical piece of wizarding history.

Catch the train from King’s Cross Station (entering at platform 9 3/4, of course) to Hogsmeade. Or, take a ride the opposite way, from Hogsmeade to King’s Cross. In fact, you’ll probably want to try out both options—it is a different ride experience depending on which way you’re headed.

Come along on the ride from Hogsmeade to King’s Cross:

Come along on the ride from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade:

On your relaxing ride, you’ll certainly experience some magical happenings. Characters from the movies might pass by your windows outside. And you’ll see the shadows of other passengers passing by your cabin. Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione might just come by looking for an open seat or chasing after escaped chocolate frogs. Muggles and wizards alike will appreciate the attention to detail.

This is a can’t-miss attraction for fans visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And because it travels between two stations (and between two parks Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Islands of Adventure), you’ll need the park-to-park feature on your tickets to experience it. So, wands ready? All aboard!

Written by Laura Schindler:  Are you ready to experience the Hogwarts Express for yourself? Laura can help get you there! Laura 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 with Laura at Laura@DestinationsInFlorida.com

ATX®, the Astronaut Training Experience

Becoming an astronaut sounds glamorous, but what is it really like? If you’ve always dreamed about exploring space, ATX®, the Astronaut Training Experience, can give you a taste of just what astronauts go through to become a member of NASA’s elite astronaut corps. Call 866.737.5235 to book your reservation now for ATX, the Astronaut Training Experience!

This exciting, fast-paced half-day experience gives you a true example of what it’s like to train as a member of NASA’s prestigious astronaut corps. This program was developed with the guidance of veteran space travelers.

Your adventure begins with a mission briefing and question-and-answer session with a veteran NASA astronaut – one of the few men and women who have explored beyond our Earth – then continues under the guidance of educators and space flight experts.

Next, it’s your turn to take the helm as you practice the skills you’ll need to complete your mission. You’ll learn how to execute a high-Earth orbit to rendezvous, dock with and perform critical repair work on the International Space Station then land the space shuttle at Kennedy Space Center.

To prepare your body for space flight, you’ll need to test your strength and stamina to be successful on simulators like the Micro-Gravity Wall, Multi-Axis Trainer and 1/6th Gravity Chair. At the Micro-Gravity Wall, you’ll be outfitted with harnesses and customized weights which allow you to climb and descend the wall in an almost effortless state. In the 1/6th Gravity Chair, a system of springs and pulleys help to create the feeling that you’re walking on the moon. The bravest of recruits will take on the MAT, or Multi-Axis Trainer, a device that randomly spins and twirls its occupant in multiple directions and through 360º revolutions.

Once you and your fellow crew members are sufficiently trained, it’s time to put your new skills to the test. You’ll perform a simulated space shuttle mission in which you’ll work individually and as a team. Each crew member is assigned a specific role (mission commander, co-pilot, mission specialist, mission control officer, etc.) and, based on the assignment, proceeds to a full-scale mock-up of the space shuttle orbiter, or takes the helm in a realistically outfitted mission control room. Cue scripts will prompt you and each member of the crew to recite specific lines during the space shuttle mission simulation, contributing to the realistic feel and overall success of your mission.

Finally, you’ll celebrate your certain success with a graduation “ceremony,” where you’ll be acknowledged for your hard work and be briefed about the future of the U.S. SpaceProgram. Congratulations, trainee!
See if you’ve got what it takes to join the brave men and women who have ventured beyond Earth’s gravity to achieve their dreams of traveling in space. Call 866.737.5235 to book your reservation now for ATX, the Astronaut Training Experience!

Come sail away with Mickey Mouse on such a magical cruise it will feel like a Dream. Experience Disney in a way you never have before by sailing on the Disney Dream. Dine in the finest of restaurants and be pampered by Disney’s renowned service. You’ll be delighted to find many things for each member of the family as well as the family as a whole. Let the fun begin as you embark on a 3 or 4 night sailing to Nassau, Bahamas and my favorite destination, Disney’s Castaway Cay.

Seek adventure as you zoom down the AquaDuck, the Dream’s water roller coaster slide. Thrill-seekers can catch amazing views as you slide through an almost all clear tube on their single or double raft…the slide even takes a turn off the side of the ship. There’s never a dull moment from the Broadway-style shows to the fireworks at sea at the “Pirates in the Caribbean” celebration. Kids of all ages are sure to never want to leave one of the amazing youth clubs. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are the perfect spots to entertain your 3-12-year-olds.

New to the Disney Dream is the addition of the Star Wars: Millennium Falcon and the Disney Infinity Game Room. Tweens and Teens have places to call their own too; the Edge (11-14) and the Vibe (ages 14-17). Little ones under 3 are able to visit the It’s a Small World Nursery. Adults aren’t left out of the fun either with their own pool, fine dining restaurants, and nightclub district.

The highlight of your cruise is sure to be Disney’s private Island, Castaway Cay. Your family can do everything from watersports to crab racing to meeting special characters. The island features a kids club, a teen and tween hideaway and an adult’s only beach. Did I mention the unlimited ice cream?

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. 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.

I know that if you have seen a Star Wars party, then you have seen these pool noodle light sabers. They are easy and extremely inexpensive to make, so that’s why everyone is using them.

I saw several different types of light sabers, but never saw a tutorial on how to make them.

One of the problems I kept seeing with most of the light sabers was that the bottoms were kind of bubbly. The tape wasn’t smooth. I knew how to remedy that, and I wanted to share with you how to do it as well.

You will want to measure your pool noodles and cut them in half using your knife. Then you can begin taping.  The pictures, I hope, are self explanatory…so I’ll let them do most of the talking.

 Smooth bottom of pool noodle.

You can’t deny the fact that Walt Disney World has something for everyone in your family. However, today, let’s focus on the what the Magic Kingdom has to offer for our Teen travelers!

#5 Space Mountain

Blast off at high speeds through the darkest reaches of outer space! It’s fast, has drops and turns… They’ll love it!

#4 Splash Mountain

Take off in a log fume ride with characters from the Disney classic movie Song of the South. Fun music, characters and story line… and, in the end, you may get wet!

#3 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Outdoor roller coaster where you race through a gold mining town. It’s definitely the ‘wildest ride in the wilderness’! (FYI this ride will be closed for refurbishment in the beginning of August to mid-November, 2016)

#2 Astro Orbiter

You get to pilot your very own rocket, high above Tomorrowland. You get to decide how high you fly by pushing/pulling the lever in your rocket. Want to give the ride a little extra ‘fright factor’? Ride at night!!

#1 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Race through the diamond mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! Rock around like never before while you sway from side to side. Make sure to check out the interactive queue too!

Honorable Mentions:

Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Mad Tea Party and Haunted Mansion

You know what? It’s probably best to check them all out!!

Written by Veronica Mazarelli:  Veronica has planned her family vacations for years.  Now she gets to do it for others, and it’s like a dream come true.  She creates lasting memories to the destination of your choice by planning customized vacations.  She focuses on family and family reunion travel to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Disney Cruise Line and Sandals & Beaches Resorts.  As well as Southern United States; like Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Savannah, and Atlanta.  She’ll help you find the BEST accommodations with the BEST value, and she will fill in all the blanks… all at no cost to you! She can’t wait to pass that magic on to your family.  If you are ready to save on your next vacation, contact Veronica at Veronica@DestinationsInFlorida.com.

A day at sea on a Royal Caribbean Cruise is a great way to get a little peace and quiet by sitting on your balcony or by going to the adult only decks to relax. While you’re lounging watching the waves go by you may even see dolphins swimming by the ship. While sitting in your lounge chair and listening to the waves, the waves may even lull you to sleep.

Some of the lower decks have lounge chairs where you can just relax, or you can play a game of shuffleboard. If sitting is not your style, why not go and explore the ship. Ask any crew member about hidden decks where you can just watch the sea go by.

On some of Royal Caribbean ships, you can go to the upper deck and look down at the bridge while the crew is sailing the ship. Some cruise lines also offer their guests private cabanas where you can buy a day pass and just relax away from all the hustle and bustle on the main pool deck.

Written by Barbara Roach:  Barbara is your Personal Travel & Cruise Concierge. She has been organizing travel for years. She knows where to find the best deals, what really constitutes “value” and how you can make your vacation dollar stretch, especially when it comes to planning travel with kids!  Regardless of your destination, her goal is to exceed your every expectation and deliver you to a most enchanting vacation. Call Barbara at 401-323-1294 or email at barbararoach@destinationsinflorida.com to book your trip today.

Need a Reason to Travel? Check out These Cool Facts!

Did you know — Studies have found that money spent on travel will make you happier than money spent on material goods?

If you feel like you need a reason to travel, check out this video which is full of cool facts like the one above!

Fact: There’s no time like the present! So, what are you waiting for? Contact us to plan your travels today!

Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Quote Today!

877-918-8941 or Request a Price Online

 

Be Our Guest is my favorite dining location at Disney World! Be Our Guest is found in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be Our Guest is the only location at Disney World to offer both quick service and table service meals in one place. Breakfast and lunch are quick service meals while dinner transforms into a table service meal.

Be Our Guest’s menu is French inspired so you will find some both familiar and unique dishes. During breakfast, you can choose from Croque Madame, eggs florentine, croissant-doughnut, and more. For lunch, the menu offers braised pork, croquet monsieur, carved turkey sandwich, and more. During dinner, you can enjoy grilled strip steak, layered ratatouille, roasted lamb chop, and more. However, in my opinion, the best part of lunch or dinner at Be Our Guest. After all, I highly recommend you try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!

Breakfast is served every day beginning at 8 am, even when the park doesn’t open until 9 am. That hour can be a great time to get pictures of your family without all the crowds on Main Street and enjoy your breakfast without losing out on precious park time.

Be Our Guest is not a character meal, but you may take a picture with The Beast in his study on your way out after dinner, only. He is not in his study during breakfast or lunch but does sit in there during dinner. He does not visit tables or sign autographs.

Be Our Guest is still one of the most popular dining locations at Disney World. Advanced dining reservations are available for all three meals and are highly recommend to book 180 days in advance or as soon as possible.

Written by Siera Duiser: Siera Duiser is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. 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.

Orlando’s Tallest, Fastest and Longest Coaster! Mako now open at SeaWorld Orlando

A powerful new predator opens June 10 at SeaWorld Orlando, challenging even the most confident thrill-seekers to experience its remarkable speed and stature.

When it opens to the public, MAKO™, a 200-foot-tall hypercoaster, will become the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster among Orlando’s popular theme parks.  The coaster anchors a two-acre realm — Shark Wreck Reef — that also includes SeaWorld’s existing Shark Encounter attraction, interactive learning exhibits and dining and shopping options.

“Mako and Shark Wreck Reef rewrite the definition of ‘immersive’ entertainment,” said SeaWorld Orlando President Donnie Mills. “Our guests now have a whole new underwater world to explore — and a thrilling new ride to conquer that’s literally breathtaking.”

The fifth coaster in SeaWorld Orlando’s portfolio, Mako accelerates to 73 mph as it whips passengers along an imposing, nearly mile-long track. Its design was inspired by its namesake: Mako sharks — also called “blue pointers” — are known for their speed and ability to quickly change course as they pursue prey.

Mako is also one of the world’s few true hypercoasters, a group of roller coasters known for high speeds and steep drops and hills that create a feeling of weightlessness or “air time.”  As the sleek coaster cars crest each hill, riders — secured only at their laps — float out of their seats, nearly weightless.

“For almost three exhilarating minutes, you experience life as an apex predator,” said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld’s Vice President of Theme Park Experience and Design.  “You surge through the water at top speeds, charge to the ocean depths and chase prey throughout a massive reef.”

Immersive Design

From the moment they walk into the new realm, guests can hear the roar and feel the rumble of the massive coaster that passes within feet of pedestrian paths and juts out over open water.  Rich design elements, colors and textures, and hand-crafted materials make guests feel as if they’re part of a living ecosystem at the bottom of the sea.

At the ride’s entrance, colonies of tangerine and yellow corals support the wreckage of a sunken ship whose wood has distressed after decades beneath the water’s surface.  As guests make their way to the queue line, they pass beneath a hulking, two-story fishing pier, then wind their way up rusted stairways through the ramparts of another shipwreck — this one larger, darker and much more intimidating.

Throughout the queue, riders cannot view the deep purple and teal coaster track in its entirety, instead getting only glimpses of what’s waiting for them at the top of the wreck.  Even as they’re secured into the coaster car and about to embark, the first two vertical drops — unquestionably the ride’s most heart-stopping elements — remain obscured until the car reaches the 200-foot mark.

Heightening the sensory experience, a 48,000-watt, intelligent surround-sound system plays an original soundtrack throughout the realm, evoking the fascination and wonder of the sea. The musical score can be heard by riders as they come out of the station and climb all the way up the lift hill.

Shark Education and Conservation

“As we designed and built this new realm, the educational component was a top priority,” said Mills.  “We want guests to leave excited and exhilarated by what they experienced here, and we also want them to leave inspired by what they learned here.  Sharks are in peril throughout the world and we can all do something about that — that’s our message.”

Through several interactive learning stations, guests discover how different species are classified and what sharks like to eat. The fun, engaging exhibits dispel myths about sharks, including how few people are killed each year in shark attacks (10) compared to how many humans die of bee stings (725,000) and parasite-carrying snails (10,000).

The stations also explain how human behaviors are threatening some sharks to the point of extinction. Sharks are hunted for their fins — considered a delicacy in certain countries — and thousands are accidentally caught by long fishing lines and in commercial nets.

“It’s really eye opening to learn how sharks are struggling in the wild,” said Mills.  “We believe the more people exposed to this message means more people making informed decisions, and sharks’ odds of survival improve.”

Mako Adds to Coaster Portfolio

With the addition of Mako, SeaWorld now has five coaster experiences spanning a range of ages and appetites. Mako joins:

1. Kraken® — themed after a massive, mythological underwater beast unleashed from the depths of the sea.
2. Manta® — the only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world; guests ride head-first, face-down through inversions and loops.
3. Journey to Atlantis® — an edge-of-your-seat water coaster that plunges guests into the middle of a clash for the lost city of Atlantis.
4. Shamu Express® — a junior-sized coaster perfect for families with younger children.

“Our fans will love how Mako complements our other rides. Kraken is big, monstrous and twisty,” said Morrow.  “Manta is massive and glides smoothly, taking you on a flight like a huge ray.  Mako is entirely different.  It’s streamlined and fast, just like a mako shark.  There’s no wasted motion, it’s all speed and dives.”

Summer of Mako

To celebrate the new realm, SeaWorld today also launched Summer of Mako, a park-wide event that takes advantage of the longer summer nights and amps up the park’s fun factor.

Throughout the day, guests will have more opportunities to meet SeaWorld’s animals, attend scheduled feedings and talk with animal ambassadors, educators and experts.  Guests can also participate in a park-wide, text message-based scavenger hunt called Mako Challenge; for every completed challenge, SeaWorld will donate $1 to the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund on their behalf.
The park is also offering several limited-time, Mako-inspired and SeaWorld-exclusive products including a honey vanilla mako shark cookie; a SeaWorld exclusive Coca-Cola Freestyle mix, Mako Blast; a specialty alcoholic beverage only available at Shark’s Underwater Grill; and Mako American Red Ale, a SeaWorld exclusive brew available in several locations around SeaWorld.
Also opening June 10 is the all-new Shark Touch Pool where guests who have ever dreamed of touching a shark will have the opportunity to do so this summer at SeaWorld Orlando. The Relaxation Station located near Wild Artic will be home to a brand-new educational experience where guests will have the chance to learn about and interact with brownbanded bamboo sharks, whitespotted bamboo sharks and epaulette sharks.

As the sun sets each evening, the park kicks it into even high gear, allowing guests to experience coasters and other rides at night.  Fan favorite Shamu’s Celebration: Light up the Night returns June 18 with high-energy, feel-good music, stylistic lighting, colorful backdrops and a fireworks finale.  A special Block Party with dance music and street entertainment takes place along SeaWorld’s Waterfront.

The park is offering a $99 ticket that includes admission to both SeaWorld and Aquatica Water Park, which kicks off its own summer celebration, Island Nights presented by Coca-Cola®, on July 8.  Florida residents can purchase an annual pass to both parks and pay just $16/month.