Ladies and Gentlemen, step right up for some fun shopping and tasty treats during your next visit to Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park!  Big Top Souvenirs is located in the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland, just a stone’s throw away from the Dumbo attraction. There is something fun for everyone at this huge, authentic-looking circus tent, themed after a grand circus of the 1940’s.

 

As you take a look inside Big Top Souvenirs you will feel like you’ve just entered a real circus arena! There are lights, rope ladders, trapezes and tightropes. The floor looks to be made of hand-sewn canvas. Disney merchandise is displayed in old-fashioned circus train cars, complete with wheels! Even the friendly Cast Members are dressed in adorable circus attire!

Goofy’s Glaciers, cold drinks, candy apples, cotton candy, cupcakes, caramel corn, fudge, cookies, cake pops, and other colorful bakery items are available along with a ton of Disney themed merchandise. Here are some other things you will find here:

• Toys
• Wide assortment of hats
• Pre-packaged flavored popcorn and candy
• Accessories
• Children’s clothing
• Personalized ear hats
• Home decor

Disney Cast Members are always busy as they create incredible candy apples and decorate other tempting confections at the Big Top Treats open show kitchen in the center of the tent. During our recent visit, our young grandson was mesmerized as he watched a Cast Member  decorate cake pops and marshmallow treats with neon-colored sugar. As he looked on, the friendly Cast Member paused from her duties to create a little Disney “magic”.  She asked what color he liked best and then prepared a tiny marshamallow treat just for him! I’m not sure how often they do this but it was a magical moment for us!

So…Come one, come all and step right up for some great snacks and fantastic merchandise at Big Top Souvenirs! Be sure to make a stop during your next Walt Disney World vacation.

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.

Getting ready for your Disney Cruise vacation is such an exciting time. Here are a few tips to help you prepare to set sail for your amazing Disney Cruise.

1. Create a Packing List– Create a packing list based on the recommendations Disney provides in the planning center. Check off the items on your list as you pack your suitcase to make sure you bring everything you need. Don’t forget to pack a pirate costume for Pirate Night.
2. Pack a Carry-On– It could be several hours before you get your bags on embarkation day. If you want to enjoy the pool, make sure you put a swimsuit and some sunscreen in your carry-on bags. You should also make sure you have all of the documents you need to board in your carry on. Guests can bring alcohol onboard. Alcohol must be packed in your carry-on bag when you board the ship.
3. Prepare for Shopping– There will be plenty of opportunities to shop during your cruise vacation. If you do not travel very often make sure you call you bank and let them know your plans. You don’t want your card denied when you find that perfect souvenir. You can also purchase Disney gift cards to pay for onboard expenses. You can purchase gift cards at a discount at Sam’s Club or use your Target REDcard to save money on gift cards.
4. Book Shore Excursions– The best shore excursions fill up quickly. Disney allows you to book shore excursions 75 days before your cruise. Castaway Club and Concierge Level guests can book shore excursions 90-125 days prior to sailing.
5. Make Onboard Reservations– Adult dining reservations at Palo and Remy are the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary or birthday. Spa, fitness, and nursery reservations can also be made in advance. Spaces are limited so take advantage of online booking.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, 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.

Expedition Everest is a thrilling roller coaster ride located in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World in Central Florida. The mountain peak is a little less than 200 feet tall, the tallest of all the mountains at the Disney parks! Thrill seekers will delight on their journey aboard a runaway train through the mountains of the Himalayas.

Disney Imagineers worked hard to create a very detailed experience for this attraction. The design and architecture were chosen to immerse you in a setting that is incredibly realistic. As you enter the Tibetan-style building at the foot of Mt. Everest, you will see the booking office of Himalayan Escapes – Tours and Expeditions. After wandering past a temple and general store, you will be able to explore a museum dedicated to the study of the Yeti, the Abominable Snowman.  Be sure and take time to explore the artifacts, pictures and manuscripts.

Once you’ve climbed aboard your 34 passenger steam-engine tea train, hold on to your hat! As you climb the incline, you will get a nice view of the park. When you reach the top, you’ll go through high speed twists and turns through the mountain – faster and faster until…Screech!  Your train comes to a sudden halt. In front of you is a twisted and broken track. Suddenly, you will start flying backwards through the dark mountain!  Along the way, there’s the shadow of …you guessed it, the fierce and mighty Yeti. The train stops again and begins to fly forward, plummeting down an 80-foot drop and through more twists and unexpected turns.

While Expedition Everest is a fairly tame roller coaster ride, some parts may be frightening for younger children. It does not go upside-down. Guests must be 44 inches tall to ride.

Are you ready to take on the Yeti during your next Walt Disney World Vacation?

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.

Disney Cruise Line knows how to cater to kids of all ages. Teens have several spaces designed just for them on the Disney Dream. Let’s explore some of the teen hot spots.

Vibe: Vibe is the teen area for youth ages 14-17. Vibe is open from 11am-2am. Teens can watch movies on the 103-inch LCD screen, play video games, or engage in one of the unique activities led by the youth counselors. There’s a stage for karaoke, talent shows, and dance competitions. Vibe even has its own private pool deck with two splash pools, pop jets, misters, and fountains. Deck games include foosball, a giant checkerboard, and ping pong.

Chill Spa: The Chill Spa is a teen only area in the Senses Spa. All of the treatments in the Chill Spa are designed for youth ages 13-17 such as the Acne Attack Facial, Surfer’s Scrub, or Ice Cream Manicure and Pedicure. Reservations can be made after 1pm on the first day of your cruise.

The Hide Out: The Hide Out is the teen only area on Disney’s Castaway Cay. Teens can kayak, take a bike ride, play sports in the sand, snorkel, or just hang out.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, 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.

Single parents are welcome onboard every Disney Cruise.  Disney Cruise Line will make your vacation as easy and fun as possible. Disney has an excellent youth program. Each child is given an Oceaneer band with a GPS tracker when they board the ship. Youth must wear these bands during the entire cruise. The bands are scanned to check youth into and out of secure youth programs. Children under the age of 8 are not allowed to check themselves out of kids club. Children 8-12 can check themselves in and out at their parents’ discretion. Disney Cruise Line has two wave phones in each stateroom for communication throughout the cruise. Parents are contacted on the wave phone when needed. Single parents can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing their kids are safe and entertained during their cruise vacation. Disney Cruise Line offers adult only areas throughout the ship so single parents can take a minute to themselves. There are several Singles Mingle events where adults can socialize and meet other singles onboard. Don’t be surprised to find that Disney has seated a couple other single parent families at your dinner table. You may end up meeting some new friends that make your vacation even more enjoyable. Single parents can take the time to rejuvenate themselves knowing that their kids are in great hands and having the time of their lives on a Disney Cruise.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, 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.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience at The Walt Disney World Speedway is a great place to experience some high-speed racing excitement away from the theme parks during your Disney World vacation. It is located just beyond the Magic Kingdom toll plaza.

The Junior Ride-Along Program is one of the several different NASCAR experiences offered. It is specifically designed for children between the ages of 6 and 13 years old who are at least 48 inches tall. During our recent trip to Walt Disney World, our racecar-loving grandson, Noah was surprised with the opportunity to have a thrilling ride at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

After check-in, it was time to suit up. Closed-toe shoes are required.

Next, it was time to head out to the track! The friendly instructor fitted Noah with a helmet and gave personalized instructions.

Now, he is ready for a high-octane thrill ride!  In through the window… and away they go!

Noah was able to ride shotgun for three exciting, high-speed laps in a specially designed “Cars” race car driven by a professional driver. The entire staff was incredibly friendly and helpful which made it a fun experience for all. The cost of Noah’s ride was $59.00 plus tax. From the constant grin on his face, you can see that it was priceless! Following the ride, we were able to purchase a video of his entire experience on a thumb drive as well as a souvenir photo.

Reservations are not required and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free transportation is provided near the Lost and Found at Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center. The Richard Petty Driving Experience is open most days but may close for inclement weather or private events. Call 407-WDW-PLAY to make sure they are open beforehand. If you have a junior race fan who wants to experience the thrill of NASCAR and the rush of a lifetime, be sure to allow time for the Junior Ride-Along at the Richard Petty Driving Experience during your next Disney World vacation. It is a great experience he won’t soon forget!

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.

Castaway Cay is Disney’s Private Island paradise in the Bahamas. As with all things Disney, Castaway Cay is designed with families in mind. You see the difference as soon as you arrive at the island. Disney is the only cruise line that docks at its private island. You can walk right off the ship and enjoy the island without the hassle of tenders. There are adult only, family, and children’s areas on the island. Adults can enjoy an adult only beach, Serenity Bay, or get some drinks at one of the bars. Families can enjoy time together at the family beach or Pelican Plunge water play area. The Hide Out is a teens only activity area on the beach. Scuttle’s Cove provides free childcare with the youth counselors from the ship. Disney characters are all over the island for meet and greets. There’s even a dance party with Lilo and Stitch. Disney offers several excursions throughout your stay on the island. Guests can go on a stingray adventure, parasail, take a glass bottom boat tour, ride waverunners, kayak, fish, or snorkel. If you get hungry, you can eat at one of the BBQ dining locations on the island.  As you can see there are lots of things to do at Disney’s Castaway Cay.  There are two shopping locations for souvenirs and beach necessities.   If all else fails, you can always just lounge on the beach and enjoy your vacation!

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, 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.

Conveniently located within walking distance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot Center, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is an excellent choice for couples and families. The waterfront resort is reminiscent of the seaside buildings of Atlantic City, NJ of yesteryear with gorgeous New England-style gardens.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is especially popular with young adults who want to include an exciting nightlife as part of their vacation. Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District with its Coney Island-style atmosphere is nearby and features several dining options along with the ESPN Club and Big River Grille & Brewing Works. Flying Fish Café, a signature dining experience offers American cooking through simplicity offering fresh seafood and steaks. Try some taste-tempting Quick-Service treats from BoardWalk Bakery or Seashore Sweets.

All of the 372 guest rooms have two queen beds or one king bed and a day bed. Some of the rooms have a private balcony. Guests who choose Club Level accommodations receive personalized concierge service. They will enjoy a special lounge with continental breakfast and mid-day snacks. Wine, hors d’oeuvres and dessert are complimentary in the evening.

There are 3 heated pools located at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. The Luna Park Pool is a carnival-themed place where you can take a fast ride down the 200-foot-long Keister Coaster water slide or splash under the spouting elephant trunk statues. Also available is a children’s pool and whirlpool. For a more peaceful swim, try one of 2 leisure pools. Other recreational opportunities include Community Hall family recreation room, arcade, Disney movies under the stars, playground, tennis, fishing and Health Club.

Transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is by walking or water-launch services. Bus transportation will take you to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and other Walt Disney World Resort locations.

Consider Disney’s BoardWalk Inn for your next Disney World vacation. The location, fun atmosphere and unique entertainment will bring you back to yesteryear again and again!

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.

If you are planning a visit to Epcot Center on your next Walt Disney World vacation, you will want to snag a FastPass+ time to experience Test Track located in Future World.   This ride is a multisensory experience as you will create your own virtual concept vehicle before boarding a high-octane “SimCar” and speed through a thrilling series of hills, hairpin turns and straightaways.

 

The first part of the queue is the Chevrolet Design Center where you will tap your Magic Band and design your own car that will be tested on the sim-track. It’s fun to design your own virtual custom concept vehicle based on the following test criteria:

• Capability (handling)
• Responsiveness (maneuverability)
• Efficiency (fuel-saving and environmentally friendly)
• Power (speed)

After adding finishing touches to your vehicle, you’ll move to the second queue that leads to the boarding area. Touch your Magic Band again to upload the car design to your vehicle.

 

 

Buckle up tight in your 6-passenger simulation car and get ready to undergo four different tests: capability, efficiency, responsiveness, and power. Discover how your vehicle performs as you speed through some surprising obstacles with a little rough terrain along the way. You’ll fly through straight-aways, experience inclement weather and banks with 50-degree angles and climb hills up to 3-stories high. Your ride culminates with an exhilarating test of speed up to 65 mph!

When your ride is over, you can see how well your vehicle scored during the test drive and participate in even more interactive experiences with your vehicle design.

Showroom Showoff! – Make a 15-second commercial of your design and then email it home to share with friends.

Give It a Spin! – Steer your vehicle over challenging terrain, through a variety of obstacles and conditions at this smaller, virtual te st ground. Especially fun for kids!

Photos! – Pose with a Chevrolet dream car or your concept vehicle against a dramatic backdrop, underwater scene or lunar landscape.

Test Track is so much fun! You’ll want to ride again and again on your next Walt Disney World vacation.

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.