Disney’s Contemporary Resort Pool Video Tour

Ready for a swim? One of the best pools at Disney World is at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

The Main Pool

Laughin’ Place Playground Near Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom

Did you know there’s a playground near Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom? It’s great for little ones to play while bigger siblings ride Splash Mountain or Big Thunder  Mountain Railroad!

The Laughin’ Place offers tunnels to crawl through and places for kids to climb and play. It’s a fun playground to burn off some energy, especially when waiting for other members of your party to return from rides on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, both of which have a height requirement of 40 inces (102 cm).

Behind the Scenes with Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

This excerpt from the Disney Parks Blog sets up who you’ll see in this great behind the scenes clip!

This creative process has been one of the most dynamic and collaborative ones we’ve ever undertaken. It began when our then-Chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts proposed to James Cameron that together we might recreate the world of Pandora at Disney. Since that time, our creative development team, led by Joe Rohde, has been working hand-in-hand with Jim, Jon Landau and their team of artists and designers at Lightstorm on every aspect of this project—from overall design to the smallest—yet crucially important—details. And along each step of this process, Tom, as well as Disney CEO Bob Iger have been actively involved in helping guide the creative vision that is shaping the extraordinary world we’re building.

Pandora’s grandeur will be available to guests in early 2017.

Meet Disney Authors and Disney Author/Historian Jim Korkis

Meet The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit co-authors Josh and Dave, plus the contributor of the “Jim’s Gem’s” vignettes in The easy Guide, Jim Korkis, at Epcot on Monday, April 20th!

All three authors as well as Allison from Destinations in Florida Travel will be on hand to meet friends and fans, sign books and give out some great prizes to attendees.

Date: Monday, April 20, 2015

Time: Starting at 7pm

Place: Epcot – Outside Liberty Inn, American Adventure Pavilion

We hope you will stop by and see us!

Journey into Imagination with Figment at Epcot Imagination Pavilion

Figment the playful, purple dragon is your guide on this whimsical tour of the Imagination Institute.

Climb aboard your carriage and get ready for surprises galore as you travel through Dr. Channing’s sensory labs. Little ones will love learning and laughing about the 5 senses—sound, sight, smell, touch and taste—on this madcap musical trip with Figment.

The Institute’s beleaguered chairman Dr. Nigel Channing (played by Eric Idle) sets out to prove how the 5 senses capture the imagination but is upstaged by the mischievous Figment, who sabotages the doctor’s sound experiment, interferes with the eye chart and causes quite a stink in the Smell Lab.

Then up becomes down as you cruise through Figment’s fluorescent, topsy-turvy house and discover that imagination really does work best when set free!

Afterward, be sure to head to ImageWorks, an interactive play area where you can use your imagination to make music, digital pictures and more.

About the attraction:

Learn to Draw Disney Characters at Animation Academy

With help from a Disney artist, enjoy a unique hands-on opportunity to draw your very own Disney character sketch at Animation Academy. This is a free activity that is available to all park guests. The experience runs approximately every 20 minutes. Here’s an example of the experience.

Animation Academy is located within The Magic of Disney Animation attraction in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The artist instructions do a great job at explaining the techniques they use to draw Disney characters. The whole family can participate, though little kids might just end up drawing whatever they like if they can’t keep up with the instructor. The instructor teaches you to draw a different character each class, so go back a few times and create your own portfolio of masterpieces!

After the class, they will give you a rubber band to roll up your artwork so you can carry it with you and take it home.

If you have a Disney vacation coming up, a good way to get the family excited about your upcoming trip is to sit down together and learn how to draw Tinker Bell right from your home with our video! Enjoy!

Experience the Dolphin Plunge at Aquatica

The most popular ride in the Aquatica by Sea World park is the incredible Dolphin Plunge. One look and it’s easy to see why.

Two side-by-side enclosed tube slides send you racing through an underwater world that is home to a playful pod of beautiful black-and-white Commerson’s Dolphins.

Known for their playful nature and electrifying speed, you may well see them racing right alongside you as you zoom by.

It’s a ride unlike any other in the world- one only a waterpark by SeaWorld® could create.

Ride Requirements

• Guests must be at least 48” (1.22) tall to ride.
• Guests over 300 lbs (136 kg) may not ride.
• Appropriate swim attire required, cotton shorts or shirts, sport shorts, cover ups, loose fitting articles, or similar items are not permitted.   Swim wear with buckles, rivets, or any sharp objects are not permitted.
• Footwear of any kind is not permitted.
• Loose articles such as jewelry, phones/cameras or any other item that may damage the slide or cause harm to others are not permitted.
• At the discretion of Aquatica certain items may be held by the rider, however we recommend you leave them with a non-rider.  Aquatica assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged items.
• Riders must be able to maintain proper riding position without assistance: feet first, lying on your back with legs firmly crossed at the ankles, and arms folded across the chest during the entire ride.

New Show Your Disney Side App Transforms Your Personal Photos and Videos

We love this new Disney app that allows you to transform your own picture into your favorite Disney or Star Wars character.  It is really fun for the whole family!

The app brings your Disney Side – that side of you that comes out to play the moment you step through the gates at Disney Parks – to life like never before, transforming you into characters from our most popular park attractions and experiences.

With the Show Your Disney Side app, you can become an X-Wing Pilot from the Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction, a swashbuckler from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, a princess from “Frozen” and even a favorite Disney villain, Maleficent. And If you visit Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, you can unlock special Haunted Mansion characters like the Hitchhiking Ghost and Madame Leota. It’s also possible to unlock these special characters by sharing three creations on Facebook or Twitter.

• Start with a selfie and let the app do the rest.
• Choose your Disney Side from iconic attractions and experiences like Frozen, Star Tours®, Pirates of the Caribbean®, and Villains of Disney Parks. You can unlock special Haunted Mansion® characters by visiting either Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World®  Resort, or by sharing three Show Your Disney Side app creations.
• Customize your characters with different costumes and frames.
• Tap or swipe and watch your Disney Side magically react! Experience thrilling special effects for each character.
• Record video of your creations as they come to life and share with friends.
• Visit Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort where your Disney Side will be unleashed to the fullest!
• Don’t forget to show off your Disney Side! Tag your photos and videos with #DisneySide and see how others around the world are expressing their Disney Side.

You can download the app from your app store or visit https://itunes.apple.com/app/id945289759

Things to Do in Tampa With Kids

When you think about vacationing in Florida, where do you think of relaxing?  Many people flock to Disney and Universal Parks in Orlando.  While Disney and Universal are both wonderful family vacation destinations, there is another family-oriented place that is frequently overlooked – Tampa Bay.  Most families do not fully take advantage of the amazing vacationing opportunities for younger children in Tampa.  As a mom of two boys who are very active and as a resident of Central Florida, my family spends a lot of time in Tampa. Here are my recommendations of some great things to do in Tampa with kids.

Where to Stay

Loews Don Cesar Resort- St. Petersburg, Florida: This is the nicest beachfront resort in St. Pete Beach. You can recognize this resort at the “Big Pink Hotel” located right on the ocean. Well worth your money, the Don Cesar will provide beach lounge chairs, children’s programing, wonderful restaurants, and beautiful sunsets. Located close to Tampa, you can quickly arrive at any destination in the Tampa area you wish.

Tradewinds Resort – St. Petersburg, Florida: Known to locals as a beachfront family resort, the Tradewinds provides endless activities for children and teenagers. With a giant inflatable waterslide, children’s activities daily, beach activities, and paddle boats. The rooms are spacious but need a little updating. If you are comfortable in a 3 star resort, you will be comfortable in the rooms. It is definitely a fun time for families.

Innisbrook- Palm Harbor, Florida: This resort is not beach front and it’s most well known for its golf courses, but Innisbrook is a wonderful resort for children. The rooms are in the process of being updated, and the updated rooms are wonderful! They have one- and two-bedroom suites available with full kitchens and seating areas.  The one thing about this resort is the amount of things for children to do.  There is a wonderful zero entry pool with a waterslide and sand play area. While on property, for no additional fee, children can fish, play miniature golf, and play on the playground.

What to Do

Fort De Soto State Park: Fort De Soto is a historic fort with 3 miles of protected shoreline.  They have canoeing on a canoe trail, nature trails, fishing piers, and playgrounds.  Pack a lunch and spend the day enjoying nature.  Parking is $5.00 for the day.

Florida Aquarium: The best thing about the Florida Aquarium is the outdoor water playground for children. The Aquarium itself is not one that you could spend an entire day but make sure you bring your swim trunks, sunscreen, and towels as they have an outdoor 2-acre water play area with a pirate ship that kids love.  The second great thing about the Florida Aquarium is the dolphin tour.  I have gone three times and each time seen dolphins very close to the boat. You will get wet so make sure you go in the warmer months or bring clothes you don’t mind getting wet. Cost for Aquarium Admission and Dolphin Tour is $49.90 for adults and $40.90 for kids.

Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI): MOSI is one place that we continue to renew our annual passes.  You can easily spend an entire day with the exhibits, IMAX, ropes course, playground, and inflatables.  While they do not have a place to eat on site (just snacks) there are several restaurants nearby.  I recommend Jason’s Deli or McAllister’s. You can leave and come back to the museum with your admission, just keep your wristband on. Preschool age children to adults will find this one of the most fun places to spend the day in Tampa. Admission is $22.95 for adults and $18.95 for children.

Glazer Children’s Museum: Glazer is perfect for children under the age of 7.  If you have older children, they will probably not be as interested as it is geared towards preschool and young elementary students. They can play in a giant water table, “sand” box (made of ground up tires), fly an airplane, climb through a rope maze, and play in a realistic town.  For small children, plan on spending at least 4 hours.  This is a great place for parents to have a little down time and kids to run off energy.  There are two restaurants close by: a Subway in the lobby and a 5 Guys Burgers and Fries across the street. Admission is $15.00 for adults and $9.00 for children.

Lowry Park Zoo: Lowry Park Zoo is ranked the #1 Zoo by Parents Magazine for Preschool children. What I love about it is that they don’t nickel and dime you. The zoo has 5 kiddie rides and they are all FREE.  The only thing that will cost you extra is food, feeding the giraffes ($3) and riding the horses ($5). I recommend feeding the giraffes. They have all of the animals that you would expect at a zoo. The one thing they have that is unique is a manatee hospital. When manatees are found in Tampa Bay injured or abandoned, they are brought here for rehabilitation and release.  If you go early in the morning and go straight to the manatee hospital, they will sometimes let you through the barrier to watch the abandoned manatees drink their bottles.  We have done this once and it was truly a special experience. Be advised that they will only ask if all party members are quiet and well-behaved as any noise can cause stress the young manatees. I just explained to my boys that the baby manatees were sleeping and they had to tiptoe and they did fine. Allow about 4-5 hours to explore the zoo. Admission is $27.95 for adults and $20.95 for children.

Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise: I am typically not into “touristy” things but we did this for my son’s birthday, and it was just too much fun not to mention. We allowed our kids to dress as pirates (they were 3 and 4 at the time) and they completely thought the entire experience was real.  You board a large red boat that looks just like a pirate ship. From the moment you board, all drinks are free (including wine and beer).  The staff entertain the children for the entire 2 hour tour of Tampa Bay. They give them water guns and have a battle, do a treasure hunt, play games, and have dance parties.  It was really a lot of fun and we typically don’t do those types of cruises. I highly recommend for anyone with children ages 3-12. Admission was $34.00 for adults and $29.00 for children.

Written by Kristi Gregory. Kristi is a travel agent with Destinations to Explore who lives in the Tampa Bay area. She books trips all over the world, and specializes in Florida travel including Disney and Universal. Contact her at kristi@destinationstoexplore.com or 859-229-4840.

If you find yourself hungry after a long day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a visit to Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes might be in order! This Asian-themed quick service restaurant is located in the Asia section of the park, near Kali River Rapids. It is open for lunch and dinner.

Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes features large portions of tasty food that is a step up from what we anticipate with normal theme park fare.  The menu is interesting but fairly limited. It features freshly prepared adult entrees such as:

• Honey Chicken
• Teriyaki Beef Bowl
• Ginger Chicken Salad
• Roasted Vegetable Couscous Wrap
• Asian Chicken Sandwich
• Korean Stir Fry Barbeque Chicken

Side items include egg rolls, fried rice and French fries.  The side order of fried rice is large and can be purchased with a snack credit when using a Disney Dining Plan. You can finish off your meal with Triple Chocolate Mousse, Banana Pudding or a Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cup for dessert. The children’s menu has standard America, kid-friendly food like chicken nuggets, peanut butter & jelly and cheeseburgers.

Keep in mind that seating is outside and can be crowded at times. For a unique, quick-service dining experience, check out Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes during your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is a 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.