Uncategorized Archives - Page 69 of 100 - Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal Orlando Resort, and Orlando Vacations,

A Very Merry Christmas Giveaway – Winner

We wanted to thank everyone who participated in our Merry Christmas Giveaway. It was so nice to see where our followers are spending the holidays. We do have a winner for our Pirates of the Caribbean Snow Globe.

Congratulations Kate W. ! Check your email for your confirmation !

Hope you enjoyed our little giveaway this week. Check back for our next weekly giveaway soon.

Written by Erin Benge. Erin is an expert in planning Disney & Orlando vacations. She specializes in traveling with toddlers and multiple generations. Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Erin at ErinBenge@DestinationsinFlorida.com!

Five Ways to Save on a Disney World Wedding

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A Disney World wedding can be expensive, but it can also be only as expensive as you make it. With memories and escape packages available, there truly are affordable ways to enjoy a Disney World wedding. Here are five ways to save on a Disney World wedding:

Choose your location carefully since not all venues are the same cost. Due to the popularity and beauty of the Wedding Pavilion, this is one of the more expensive options. However, there are other locations along the Seven Seas Lagoon where you can still enjoy the backdrop of Cinderella Castle with a lesser price tag.
Host a brunch reception or dessert party instead of dinner. Dinner is the most expensive meal for your reception. With a destination wedding, you have the flexibility to have a morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception. Another cost effective option is a dessert party where you can also enjoy a fireworks display.
Use the natural beauty of your location. Flowers and decor can be a costly addition to decorate your space. With the beautiful spaces available at Disney, you can let the location itself make your big day look great!
Host your celebration during the week. Another great way to save on a Disney World wedding is to host your celebration on a weekday rather than weekend. Since most of your guests will be traveling anyway, the day of the week should not play a factor in their attendance.
Use the same floral and decor for your ceremony and reception. The Disney Weddings team can transport the flowers and decor from your ceremony to your reception or dessert party to help save on the decor costs.

Are you planning a Disney World wedding? I’d love to help. We can set up room blocks, discounted rates, and more to help make your big day even more special and memorable and give you even more ways to save on a Disney World wedding! Contact Siera for more information today!

Written by Siera Duiser, “Disney BridalEars” — Siera has grown up loving all things Disney! She even had her very own Disney Fairytale Wedding in 2011. Now Siera enjoys Disney World with her own family. Siera specializes in Disney weddings, honeymoons, and traveling with younger children. Book your next vacation with Siera at siera@destinationsinflorida.com.

A Very Merry Christmas Giveaway!

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This week at Destinations in Florida, we decided to learn a little bit about you. We want to find out where our followers are spending the holidays. I am enjoying the Christmas season from warm and sunny Texas, what about you?

Everyone who participates will have a chance to win a GREAT prize! We are giving away a Pirates of the Caribbean Snow Globe!

You can get up to three entries to win to enter using Rafflecopter (link below). A winner will be chosen randomly from all entrants. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

Enter our Rafflecopter giveaway!

Five Tips For Enjoying Your Disney Cruise Line Honeymoon

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A great honeymoon option for couples looking for relaxation while still visiting beautiful islands is a Disney Cruise. Couples who choose to celebrate their new life together on Disney Cruise Line treat themselves to a vacation that is both fun and romantic. Here are five tips for enjoying your Disney Cruise Line Honeymoon:

Bring a small carry-on to pack any overnight clothes and toiletries you will need for your last night on the ship since your luggage will be conveniently picked up the night before disembarkation
Plan a special treat or surprise for your sweetie by ordering an in-room gift
Every day of your cruise is a celebration so order the “Cake of the Day” through the ship’s complimentary room service
Try something new! Your honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to make new memories and explore the unknown together
Relax! Your honeymoon should be about relaxing and celebrating together so enjoy some pampering with a couples massage

Are you planning a Disney Cruise Line honeymoon? I’d love to help you make it the honeymoon of your dreams! Contact me today for your free, no obligation quote for your honeymoon.

NEW! Testing Disney FastPass+ Service at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

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Guests Not Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Will Have Access to Fastpass+ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – No Paper FASTPASS Tickets During Test

As part of the test-and-adjust process for MyMagic+, a test of Disney FastPass+ service is taking place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as of December 18. This test will allow all Guests (including those not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel) visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom the ability to make up to three FastPass+ selections for the current day at that theme park using FastPass+ kiosks. Disney’s FASTPASS Service (using paper FASTPASS tickets) will not be available throughout the duration of this test at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Guests who are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will continue to engage in MyMagic+ as they have been and have the ability to make three FastPass+ selections in advance or day-of for one park per day, and will continue to have the ability to select, modify or cancel their FastPass+ selections using My Disney Experience on their mobile devices, at FastPass+ kiosks or at service centers.

The big difference here is that guests who are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will not be able to make advanced Fastpass+ reservations. They will have to visit a kiosk on the day of their visit to make these reservations. They will not use a Magicband either. These Fastpass+ reservations will be stored on and accessed with their plastic, RFID-enabled park ticket.

This is the first sign of paper FASTPASS tickets being phased out at Walt Disney World. Contrary to earlier rumors, Disney is clearing making the service available to guests staying at other resorts and to day guests. At least, that is the case during this test.

What do you think about paper FASTPASS going away? Are you happy that you won’t have to manage multiple little slips of paper anymore? Are you concerned about the new system? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Book your Disney & Orlando vacation with a local travel agency. World famous services, free gifts, guaranteed lowest prices, and all at no cost to you! Book your vacation with the local experts – we live where you’re traveling! Call 877-918-8941 or visit us online

Day One on a Disney Cruise

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The first day of a Disney Cruise is called Embarkation Day. Embarkation Day is so much fun. The buzz in the air in the terminal is so exhilarating and everyone is so excited to start their vacation. The cruise terminal in Port Canaveral is fantastic. Disney definitely has the nicest terminal I’ve ever seen.

As soon as you get through security and head up the escalator you start to experience a little Disney magic. There is usually a character waiting for your first photo opportunity. Lots of guests enjoy taking photos of the model ship. There are two main lines to check in at the terminal. One line is for first time cruisers and the other is for Castaway Club members. There is also a dedicated check in station and lounge for concierge level guests.

The cruise terminal opens at 11am and guests can start boarding around 1pm. After you check in you will be given a boarding group number. Each boarding group will be called to head through the Mickey entrance to board the ship. All guests must be onboard by 3:45pm. The staterooms are not ready until 1:30pm at which time you can drop off your carryon luggage.

In the meantime you can take a ship tour, spa tour, or browse the youth activities spaces. Lunch will be served in several locations. All of the activities and lunch options are listed on your Personal Navigator. If you did not get one at check in, just head to guest services for a copy. There will be a mandatory life boat drill for all guests. The drill is usually at 4pm and lasts about 15 minutes. Once the boat drill is over, head up to the pool deck for the Sail Away Celebration. Mickey, Minnie, and the gang all come to the stage to get the party started. The best part of embarkation day is the realization that you are on a fabulous vacation!!

For the duration of your cruise there will be no school, work, cooking, or cleaning. What can be better than that?

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with ten cruises taken on the Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, and Disney Fantasy. Bon Voyage! Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

Where’s the Cat?

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If you are traveling to Walt Disney World around the holidays you have probably heard mention of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. It’s a beautiful display set up on the Streets of Americas at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Amid “Snow Flurries”, as only Disney could do it, the backlot comes to life with three-dimensional and motion based displays. Set in time to music the building facades, streets and trees sparkle brightly as millions of twinkling lights dance in show presented by SYLVANIA. The display, including original pieces all the way from Arkansas and it’s creator Jennings Osborne has delighted thousands of people each year.

Osborne originally created the display for his daughter at their Arkansas home, but each it grew larger and brighter. Eventually the -million light display was transporter to Disney-MGM Studios in 1995, where it has continued to grow each year. Some of his original creations still delight visitor, like his flying angels, Santa Claus light design and the purple cat.

Yes, the purple cat. It’s a favorite among repeat visitors and newbies alike. When the Christmas light display was packaged up for shipping a Halloween decoration accidentally got added as well, a light up purple cat. Each year the cast members hide the cat in the light display and visitors try to locate the sneaky feline. It’s a tradition now.

Have you seen the Osborne Lights? Have you located the purple cat? What do you think of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights? Comment below by 12/22 and tell us what you think and you could win this special prize.

Experience the “Tale as Old as Time” at Enchanted Tales with Belle

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Enchanted Tales with Belle is a delightful attraction in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. It is a fun and interactive experience that appeals to all ages. This mixture of show and meet-and-greet encounter is based on the 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast.

As you follow the cobblestone pathway through the enchanted forest to Maurice’s Cottage, you will notice the attention to detail that Disney is famous for. There is memorabilia scattered along the way featuring items from Belle’s childhood such as books, growth charts and items you might imagine her father, Maurice may have made in his workshop.

Upon entering Maurice’s workshop you’ll see a vast assortment of projects that he has been working on. The attention to detail is amazing! Your eyes will be drawn to the magic mirror on the wall as the room darkens and the mirror begins to twinkle and sparkle. Incredibly, it soon it transforms into a doorway that you walk through to enter the wardrobe room. Madame Wardrobe and castmembers will explain how guests can help re-enact the story of Beauty and the Beast for Belle on her birthday. Parts are chosen and simple props are handed out to volunteers who want to take part.

From this point, everyone walks into the Beast’s library. Lumiere, the talking candelabra, directs everyone to their place. Once Belle makes her entrance, the short play begins. There is an opportunity for photos with Belle for all of the participants and they are given a special bookmark as a memento. It all ends with the happy song “Be Our Guest”!

Encourage your kids to take part in the show if they want to meet Belle. Don’t miss Enchanted Tales with Belle on your next visit to Walt Disney World. You will be mesmerized from beginning to end!

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.

Leaky Cauldron Restaurant Announced for Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion – Diagon Alley

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Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion at Universal Orlando Resort will Include Leaky Cauldron Restaurant

In May 2013, Universal Orlando announced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion as Diagon Alley. We’ve been awaiting more details ever since!

During a media event today, Universal Orlando officially announced that the Leaking Cauldron from the Harry Potter films will be part of the Diagon Alley expansion. This restaurant will offer guests a place to rest, enjoy some unique food offerings while immersed in Harry’s world.

From earlier announcements, we know that Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests already experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new Diagon Alley area within Universal Studios will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.

And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Expressin The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley. In addition to new shops and experiences, there will be an attraction based on Gringotts bank too! All elements are directly inspired by the fiction and films.

We can’t wait to see what details will be revealed next! We hope to see some concept art and menus soon for The Leaky Cauldron.

In the meantime, check out the huge new expansion also announced today for Universal Orlando CityWalk!

Which of these new eateries is most exciting to you? You’ve got nine to choose from — eight at CityWalk and The Leaky Cauldron!

Universal Orlando Unveils Plans for Universal CityWalk Expansion

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2014 to be an Epic Year at Universal Orlando – New Resort, Wizarding World Diagon Alley Opening and Eight New Venues in Universal CityWalk Expansion

Universal Orlando’s CityWalk will undergo a historic expansion during 2014 – all part of an epic year for Universal that will include the opening of the destination’s largest hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando announced Thursday that it will open eight new venues across CityWalk throughout 2014 as part of a bold growth strategy designed to complement the entertainment complex’s already popular collection of national brands.

The expansion comes after a nationwide search for culinary concepts that include a mix of established national brands, up-and-coming concepts and Universal’s own creations. The new venues will share an overall theme that includes inviting common areas, al fresco dining, open kitchens and more.

The new venues include Hot Dog Hall of Fame, featuring iconic hot dog creations from some of our nation’s most famous ball parks.

Additions also include CowFish, an innovative and trend-setting concept out of Charlotte, North Carolina with a signature dish called “Burgushi;” and popular frozen treat spots Cold Stone Creamery and Menchie’s.

Original concepts include Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, a unique tapas-style restaurant, Bread Box, a home-style sandwich shop; A new modern Italian kitchen concept, where guests can watch as the culinary team handcrafts their pasta from scratch; and Red Oven Pizza Bakery – Universal’s first-ever Neopolitan-style pizza bakery, which is now open.

Exact opening dates will be released at a later time.

Also announced today, The Leaky Cauldron from the “Harry Potter” films will be part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion – Diagon Alley. This expansion also opens in 2014.