Dine with Sharks and Fish at SeaWorld

If you ever wanted to dine with sharks and fish, Sea World Orlando has the ultimate restaurant for you! The restaurant is called Sharks Underwater Grill. You can enjoy a fascinating view in an upscale, signature full-service restaurant that puts world-class entrees on your plate and a window into the world of sharks before your eyes. Let the skilled chefs, courteous staff and mesmerizing sharks make a memory for you.

Sharks Underwater Grill has been recognized amongst the best of the best restaurants in Orlando. Receiving such awards as the 2013 Silver Spoon Award from Orlando Life Magazine and Outstanding Ratings in the Zagat 2014 Orlando Restaurant Survey.

Here is just a sampling of what you will find on the menu:

Appetizers

• Drunken Mussels
• Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
• Caesar Salad
• Sharks Signature Salad
• Lobster Bisque

Entrees

• Cioppino
• Grilled Mahi Mahi
• Filet Mignon
• Snow Crab
• Seasonal Catch
• Seafood Alfredo
• Seafood Paella

Dessert

• Flourless Chocolate Cake
• Chef Selected Crème Brûlée
• Apple Galette
• Shark Bites

Children’s Menu

• Jumbo Grilled Hot Dog
• Shark’s Chicken Tenders
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
• Mahi Mahi, Fried or Grilled
• Cheese Stuffed Ravioli with Homemade Red Sauce

Cash Bar

• Premium and Domestic Beers available
• Specialty Wines by the bottle or glass
• Full Cocktail bar
• Specialty Drinks

Note: Menu subject to change.

Richard Petty Junior Ridealong at Walt Disney World

If you have a young thrill seeker in the family, they can ride in a CARS race car around the Walt Disney World Speedway with the Richard Petty Junior Ridealong experience.  Junior Ride-Along Experiences are for children between the ages of 6 and 13 years old and at least 48 inches in height and are offered during the same times as our regular Ride-Alongs. Enjoy the thrills and excitement of riding shotgun in a race car driven around the track by a professional instructor! The two vehicles used for the Richard Petty Junior Ridealong at Walt Disney World are from the “Cars” franchise. Their names are Aiken Axler and Sage VanDerSpin.

The Walt Disney World Speedway offer Junior Ride-Along experiences for $59 +tax. Junior Ride-Alongs do not require reservations and are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more, visit Drivepetty.com or call 800-237-3889. At this track, reserved date/time experiences are also available.

One of our youngest DIF team member (Hunter age 9) wanted to try it out!

Walt Disney World Speedway, located in Orlando, FL, is a 1 mile tri-oval. It was built in 1995 as a venue for the Izod IndyCar Series and is now the exclusive home to Richard Petty Driving Experience year-round. Gates open at 7:30AM.

This experience will only be available until early August as the Richard Petty Driving Experience will be closing to allow Disney to use the land it occupies for future transportation projects.

Where to Get Disney Princess Hair Styling

If you are bringing a princess to Disney World and are unable to get a reservation at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, we have another option for you! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has a salon that now offers Princess hair styles. You can choose a hair style alone with a beautiful tiara or even add make up and nails. We walked right into the salon, without an appointment! This is a fantastic option for your princess! Take a look!

Now modern day princesses can be prepped and ready for any regal celebration with a royal makeover – conveniently located at the Ivy Trellis Salon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Beginning January 8, 2015, there’s a new Perfectly Prepared Princess Package featuring shimmery make-up, glittery nails, and hair styling crowned with a fancy tiara. Sounds divine!

Prices start at $50 for princess hairdo, glitter and a tiara; add a little princess glow make-up for $25 more. Option three includes hair, make-up and a fancy manicure for $90. Kids ages 4-12 can get their princess on with The Perfectly Prepared Princess Package that’s also available at the Coronado Springs Casa de Belleza Beauty Salon and at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort Ship Shape Salon. Reservations can be made in advance by calling 407-WDW-SPAS or ask your Destinations in Florida Travel Agent for assistance.

Disney World Candy Apples

Craving Something Sweet?  There’s so many great treats in store for you at Walt Disney World! Look for specially made caramel apples themed to some of your favorite Disney characters, delectable items including chocolate covered strawberries, cupcakes and cookies as well as specially created signature treat items at candy locations throughout the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resort.

Most of the candied and caramel apples sold at Walt Disney World  are actually made right there on Disney property. If you head to the candy shops in the parks and in Downtown Disney, you can often watch your apple being decorated! So, have you ever wondered how Disney makes those yummy Minnie Mouse candy apples?  It is pretty amazing!  Enjoy a video from Magic Kingdom on how Disney makes Minnie Mouse candy apples.

Are you craving Disney World candy apples now?  We are!

New Peter Pan Queue at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort has recently been adding interactive queues to attractions like Haunted Mansion and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The latest is at Peter Pan’s Flight in Magic Kingdom Park. Guests are now able to watch Tinker Bell fly around and interact with Wendy, John and Michael’s toys. They also see their own shadows come alive on the wall in the children’s nursery and get a sprinkle of pixie dust before they head off into Never Land with Peter Pan.

You head into the children’s nursery, passing the beds of Wendy, John and Michael, which are surrounded by their belongings and personal treasures. Tinker Bell has already arrived and is busy exploring – and causing a bit of mischief – all around the room. Tink also pulls some friendly tricks on you when your shadow hits the wall. Don’t be surprised if your arm’s shadow gets “hooked,” among other fun. Take a look at the video below to see what surprises await you are the new Peter Pan queue at Magic Kingdom!

As a guest staying in the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort you will experience a unique family vacation. While having all the comforts of home, you’ll be in the midst of a 750 wooded acre campground complete with wildlife, campfires and cypress trees.

The rustic, yet modern American Frontier themed cabins sleep six. They all have one bedroom with a double bed and a set of bunk beds, one full bath, living area with a pull down Murphy bed, private patio, charcoal grill, picnic table and a fully equipped kitchen. Daily housekeeping service is provided. They will even wash your dishes! Recreational offerings at the resort are some of the best on Disney property. There are two swimming pools, a quiet one and one with a large waterslide, kiddie pool and whirlpool spa. Kids of all ages will enjoy the video arcades, campfire program with marshmallow roast, movies, hiking, petting zoo, horseback riding, archery, tennis, basketball, volleyball and more! Boats, canoes and water-skis can be rented as well as golf carts and bikes.

 
Dining opportunities include Crockett’s Tavern and Trails End Restaurant, as well as several snack bars. Two popular dinner shows are held at the resort, the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue and Mickey’s Backyard Barbecue. Transportation to the Magic Kingdom by boat is very convenient. Other areas can be accessed by bus.
Your family will enjoy being together at this beautiful moderate resort at Walt Disney World. Check it out!

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.

Splitsville is a place where you can enjoy retro-style bowling and tasty food when visiting the West Side of Downtown Disney.  While Splitsville Luxury Lanes is part of a chain, the Orlando location has special Disney touches throughout, including some Disney-themed bowling balls and a few “Hidden Mickeys”!

In addition to bowling, Splitsville offers an impressive menu filled with classic favorites such as specialty pizza and burgers but also features many items that you won’t find at a “normal” bowling alley.  Celebrity chef, Tim Cushman introduces items like Steak Alfredo, fresh rolled sushi and a Spicy Veggie Bowl along with tempting salads and scrumptious desserts.  The menu is huge! Food and drink service is available in the dining room, outside on the patio or right at your lane when you make a separate bowling reservation.

Splitsville is a colossal complex with 50,000 square feet of entertainment, decorated with dazzling lights and vintage bowling motifs.  There are 30 bowling lanes, five bars with big screen televisions as well as billiard tables and a merchandise shop.  You will find plenty of exciting entertainment with a DJ spinning tunes or a live band. It’s the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon, a late night or spare time away from the theme parks.  Early-bird specials are often offered on bowling.  Splitsville has packages available for occasions like birthdays, bachelor parties and other special events. To make bowling lane reservations for your party, visit the Splitsville website or call (407) 938-PINS.  You do not have to bowl in order to dine at Splitsville. Advance dining reservations through Disney are recommended but not always necessary.

Roll in and rock out!  Come for the food but stay for some entertainment and bowling!  Be sure to include a trip to Splittsville during your next Walt Disney World vacation.

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.

The Electrical Water Pageant is a dazzling display of floating lights that travel across the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, just outside of Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park. It has long been a favorite of vacationers since 1971 and was the predecessor to the Main Street Electrical Parade.

The parade floats and music have changed a bit throughout the years but the overall theme remains the same. It is a short parade – less than 10 minutes long, featuring sparkling, creative sea creatures that transform into patriotic themed twinkling lights on 40-ft. barges. The current floats include:

• Four Sea Serpents
• Whale
• Octopus
• Three Jumping Dolphins
• Brachiosaurus
• Turtle
• Crocodile
• Four Seahorses
• Neptune

Electronic musical selection from The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan are played as the water parade progresses. As the barges pass, they transform into the patriotic theme including stars, stripes and American flags as the music changes to traditional American patriotic songs.

Some of the best places to view the Electrical Water Pageant include:

• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort– Beginning at 9:00 PM
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa– Beginning at 9:15 PM
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge– Beginning at 9:30 PM
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground– Beginning at 9:45 PM
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort– Beginning at 10:10 PM
• Just outside the entrance of Magic Kingdom park – Beginning at 10:35 PM, during Extended Theme Park Hours only

When Wishes Nighttime Spectacular takes place at 10:00 PM, the Electrical Water Pageant will begin shortly following its conclusion

The Electrical Water Pageant may be cancelled in inclement weather. Be sure to be on the lookout for this little extra dose of Disney Magic during your next Disney World vacation!

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.