Playground at Disney’s Old Key West

Disney’s Old Key West Resort offers 3 playgrounds, all of which are fun places for the kids to play.  The one shown in our video below is is right next to the main feature pool. It has a sandy ground and a lot of the playground is also covered to protect the kids from the Florida sun and heat! The other playgrounds are located at Old Turtle Pond and the pool area at South Point.

Children can climb and slide at play at these terrific Disney World playgrounds! Watch them run free in immersive environments featuring soft and textured surfaces, swings, tunnels and slides designed for interaction.

Ideal for kids 2 to 12 years of age, the playgrounds are a hotspot that kids will love. Because they are so popular, there are playgrounds available at many of the Walt Disney World resort hotels. Please note that adult supervision is required.

Get a Great Family Photo with This Disney World Photography Tip

One of the most sought after Disney World souvenirs is the coveted family photo in front of Cinderella Castle. There are many Disney PhotoPass photographers and other Cast Members who are ready to take your family’s photo lining the center of Main Street U.S.A. every day. But when you take the typical photo on Main Street, there are often other guests passing right alongside of you who end up in your family photo. It’s very difficult to find a lull in the traffic to take a photo without tons of other people right there next to you, even during the non-peak seasons.

We have a Disney World photography tip to help you get a great shot of your family with less unintentional photobombers!

Do you have a Disney World photography tip? Let us know!

New Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Disney World Hotels)

Set sail for the land of dreams in a ship-shaped bed in these NEW pirate themed rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Seadog details and hidden treasures abound and of all the Disney World Hotels, this is the only place to get a pirate themed room.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach is a tropical paradise built around 45-acre Barefoot Bay, this Resort hotel brings the Islands to you with swaying palm trees, white-sand beaches and colonial architecture. Six villages—Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Martinique, Barbados, Aruba and Jamaica—host colorful Guest rooms! “Island-hop” as you explore 200 lushly landscaped acres, or simply enjoy lazy days soaking up the sun in a hammock.

Disney World hotels offer many different views, themes and price points. We will gladly assist you in finding the perfect match for your family’s trip to Walt Disney World!

Bluegreen Resorts – The Fountains in Orlando

Family fun at Bluegreen Resorts – The Fountains
Orlando’s world-famous attractions preside majestically over the rest of the city. But The Fountains exists in a kingdom of its own—all 54 acres of it. Located on International Drive (12400 International Drive Orlando, FL 32821), your outlet to every attraction you’ve come to see, this Orlando retreat holds its own with a full calendar of activities for adults and children alike. Vacation villas offer the space and amenities you need to feel right at home while the property itself is carved out of the legend of Wakoola—an ancient storyline and theme found only at The Fountains.

Bluegreen Resorts – The Fountains have suites with fully equipped kitchens, separate bedrooms and living room space.  They have tons of family activities, but the highlight of this resort is the POOL!  It is amazing with splash zones, waterslides, mermaid academy, volleyball, and so much more!

Onsite amenities
Orlando is famous for its world-renowned attractions, cuisine with flavors from all over the world and family fun. Vacations at The Fountains are famous for something, too: Bluegreen Resorts ‘s Wakoola Springs, a spectacular 75,000-square-foot tropical water wonderland that is anything but ordinary. Extraordinary features include two twisting water slides, a zero-entry pool, interactive water fountains, two hot tubs, and Wakoola Grill, the on-site bar and grill.
Beautiful Lake Eve also offers fishing and paddleboats and features a boardwalk and pier for your enjoyment. You’ll also find a 6,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor pool area, two hot tubs, a convenient pool bar and a playground for the kids. Plus, our 20,000-square-foot clubhouse is home to the gift shop, a lounge area, and a kids’ activity center with video games, air hockey and billiard tables.

Video Overview Check-in Documents Provided by Disney World Hotels

What are the check in materials at Disney World Hotels?

Guests always ask us what materials they will receive at check-in to the Disney World Hotels. So we shot a video to show exactly you what you get when you check-in for a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort.

These materials were received during our recent visit to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort (summer 2015). Check out the procedure and materials when you check in to a Disney Resort!

Be sure to take a good look at the resort map and the recreational activities chart. There are many fun and free events taking place at the Disney World hotels, so you don’t want to miss out on them!

Ride Hogwarts Express from Universal Studios Florida to Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Since the very first Harry Potter film, every fan has dreamed of taking the classic journey Harry Potter did aboard the Hogwarts Express.  And at Universal Orlando, they get to live it.

At Universal Studios Florida, you can visit King’s Cross Station and hop on board the Hogwarts Express! The Hogwarts Express will take you from London at Universal Studios Florida to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ — Hogsmeade, which is located inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park! You’ll need a Park-to-Park admission ticket before you can pass through Platform 9 3/4 to head to Hogsmeade. The same is true for the reverse journey too.

As you wind your way through the British countryside, keep watch outside your window. You never know who — or what — you might see flying, swooping or lurking just outside the train. You might encounter an adventure or two along the way as well, before arriving at Hogsmeade™ Station in Islands of Adventure.

The Hogwarts Express experience combines powerful storytelling, live special effects, lifelike animation and state-of-the-art technology to take riders on the journey of a lifetime.   Guests will enjoy two completely different experiences depending on whether they’re traveling to Hogsmeade or London.

Universal’s Creative team worked closely with Warner Bros., Stuart Craig and the production team from the Harry Potter films to create a sensational Hogwarts Express experience that the entire family can enjoy.  The Creative team went to great lengths to ensure the experience is true to the books and films.  Everything about the train is authentic – from the paint and the materials used to build it….all the way down to the whistle.

Have you take a ride on the Hogawarts Express yet?

 

Walt Disney World Resorts Recreation Activities

The Walt Disney World resorts not only offer benefits of charm, theming and proximity to Walt Disney World theme parks, but they also offer guests many resort recreation options. Pool parties and games, bike rentals, watercraft excursions and more are available at Walt Disney World resorts.

Moderate and Deluxe resorts tend to have larger grounds and more available amenities, but all Disney World resorts offer fun, organized activities for the whole family as well as recreation choices you can enjoy at your leisure.

Some examples of Disney World Resort recreation options include:

• Surrey Bike Rentals – Ride in comfort and stability on a covered 2- or 4-person surrey bike
• Bicycle rentals
• Catch-and-release fishing
• Variety of amusements, including a video arcade, playground and interactive water play areas that the little ones will love
• Scenic running or walking trails
• Volleyball on beachside courts
• Tennis
• Watercraft rentals and guided excursions
• Bean Bag toss and table tennis
• Roasting Marshmallows
• Campfire singalongs
• Movies under the stars
• Much more!

Here’s a look of the Disney World resort recreation options at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort:

As you can see, there are tons of fun things to do at Disney World resorts besides swimming and playing at the pools. We can help you find the perfect Disney World resort accommodations for your family’s interests.

King Kong Construction at Universal Orlando

King Kong will rule at Universal Orlando Resort next year in the groundbreaking attraction,“Skull Island: Reign of Kong.” Construction is under way and visible to guests at Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando. Take a look at how nicely the exteriors are already shaping up.

The new attraction will open in the summer of 2016 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure – and will be an intense, all-new adventure brought to life in a dramatically themed environment. Skull Island: Reign of Kong will pull guests into a powerfully told story where they become part of the next generation of the Kong legend.

It begins as guests are transported deep into a wild and mysterious world, where their mission is to discover creatures of unknown origin – but where they are soon fighting for their own survival. Their journey will take them through an ancient temple inhabited by hostile natives, a perilous jungle ruled by prehistoric creatures, a foreboding underworld of caves concealing unspeakable terrors – and face-to-face with the colossal Kong himself.

“King Kong is a Hollywood movie legend and a huge part of both our history and our future,” said Mike West, Executive Producer, Universal Creative. “He gives us the opportunity to tap into everything that makes our film history so special and everything that makes our theme park attractions so spectacular. We can’t wait to bring him to life in such an epic way.”

Known as “the eighth wonder of the world,” Kong has been called “the experience for which movies were invented.” Since first appearing on screen in 1933, “King Kong” has been re-made twice – each time on a tremendous scale – earning seven Oscar and three Golden Globe nominations.

And now – in even grander and more realistic form – the Kong story continues to grow. “Skull Island: Reign of Kong” will open in the summer of 2016. More details about the mega-attraction will be released over time.

 

Rock the Universe – Florida’s Biggest Christian Music Festival Sept. 11 & 12

Now in it’s 17th year, Rock the Universe at Universal Orlando Resort is deemed Florida’s biggest Christian music festival. This year’s event takes place September 11 and 12 from 4pm to 1am on both event nights. At Rock the Universe, you can rock, ride and rejoice at Universal Studios theme park. Experience two nights of soul-stirring songs from Christian music’s hottest stars, along with guest speakers, a Candlelighting Ceremony, autograph opportunities and more. It’s an unforgettable weekend of faith and fun.

Here’s a look at the lineup for 2015:

FRIDAY	SATURDAY
Switchfoot Newsboys Crowder Kari Jobe Kutless Family Force 5 Capital Kings All Things New Aaron Gillespie Waves of Glory winner	Casting Crowns Jesus Culture Planetshakers Tenth Avenue North Building 429 Andy Mineo NF Nine Lashes Rapture Ruckus Shine Bright Baby Waves of Glory winner

A one-night ticket sells for $61.99; a two-night ticket costs $91.99. A “Rock Your Weekend” ticket option includes both nights of the event, three days of admission to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure to be used Sept. 11-13 for $124.99. (Park-to-park access within those days is available for an additional $37.)

Not only does Rock the Universe have some of the hottest bands in Christian music, it’s also right in the middle of Universal Studios! That means in addition to the amazing concerts, you’ve got unbelievable rides and attractions all around you.

Magic Kingdom Shopping – Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean fans can find a great shopping location in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom at Plaza del Sol Bazaar. This shop is located just outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Adventureland.

Skeletons and skulls and crossbones appear on many items, as you might expect! Here you will find pirate themed items like t-shirts, sweatshirts, Mickey ears, toys, costumes, books, photo frames, and various other vacation souvenirs.Take a tour through this Magic Kingdom shopping area here:

This is a one stop shop for swords, pistols, eye patches, telescopes, pirate hats, coins, keys, hook hands and even more pirate accessories! There are items representing different scenes in both the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies as well as the world famous attraction itself. Think pirate merchandise is just for men/boys? Think again! There are many “pirate couture” items for women and little pirate princesses alike. Women and girls will not only find clothing, but jewelry and accessories too.

In addition to the Magic Kingdom pirate merchandise, you’ll also find basic Walt Disney World gift items like Disney trading pins, candy, sunglasses, trinkets and more.

Have you purchased any pirate themed items in this shop?