Sports fans are in their element in Orlando thanks to the area’s great lineup of collegiate and professional sporting events. From the National Basketball Association’s Orlando Magic and the University of Central Florida Knights football to Orlando Predators arena football and spring training with the Atlanta Braves, the Orlando sports scene gives fans plenty of reasons to cheer. Sports fans also enjoy attending the Orlando Solar Bears professional ice hockey games and Orlando City Soccer Club American professional soccer matches. Orlando is also a top golf destination and hosts some of the sport’s most talented players each year during two annual Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) tournaments. The Arnold Palmer Invitational, Presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill (March) and the Children’s Miracle Classic at Walt Disney World (November).

 

Written by Stacy Gaffney, “Sorcerer Stacy” — Stacy is an expert in planning an affordable Disney and Orlando vacation. Watch out for the magic, as Sorcerer Stacy plans your vacation! Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Stacy at 877-918-8941 or stacygaffney@destinationsinflorida.com.

When couples start considering where they would like to honeymoon, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida is not always at the top of their list. This isn’t usually someone’s first thought for a romantic, relaxing getaway. Most likely, these people think that Disney World is just for families with children and there probably isn’t much for couples to enjoy. Well, that is not at all true! Disney World is a great option for couples to plan their honeymoon! Disney World honeymoons can be romantic and fun for couples of all ages!

The Walt Disney World Resort offers deluxe resorts, spas, beaches, fine dining, and so much more! Here a just a few of the many options available to couples when they honeymoon at the Walt Disney World Resort!

• Try a couples massage at a Disney spa
• Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride
• Attend a special event such as the International Food & Wine Festival or a tour
• Have dinner at an award winning restaurant (Did you know Disney is home to Orlando’s most iconic restaurant?)
• Stay in luxurious accommodations
• Watch (and share a kiss!) under nightly fireworks displays (how about a fireworks cruise?)
• Try water sports or boat rentals, a round of golf, or a tennis match
• Relax at a beach or a whirlpool spa
• Capture your memories with a honeymoon portrait session
• Dance the night away at one of Disney’s night-life venues

We will be discussing all of these activities and so much more in the coming months so don’t forget to check back every Friday morning for the latest on Disney weddings and honeymoons!

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.

The Main Street Electrical Parade has been one of my favorite Disney attractions ever since the first time I saw it. Watching the faces of my children as the colorful floats with sparkly lights approached our little section of the curb at the Magic Kingdom is one of my fondest Disney memories. The opening announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Walt Disney World proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!” still brings a tingle down my spine and usually a sentimental tear down my cheek.

The parade route begins next to the Fire Station on Main Street, heads down Main Street, U.S.A., goes around the Plaza in front of Cinderella Castle, through Liberty Square, and through Frontierland.   

It features huge brightly lit floats, smaller twirling ones and live performers adorned with thousands of electronically controlled lights and a synchronized soundtrack called the “Baroque Hoedown” originally written in 1967 by Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley.  The LED technology has been integrated to produce brighter colors using less power.  It’s interesting to note that the route is divided into zones between 70 and 100 feet long.  Every person watching will hear float-specific music and experience the same show no matter where they are along the parade route.

Spectacular floats include:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Pinocchio
• Cinderella
• Pete’s Dragon Elliott
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The wildly popular Main Street Electrical Parade ends with an American tribute featuring dancing patriots and a huge majestic eagle decorated in shimmering lights.  Make sure you add the night-time parade to your list of must-see’s in the Magic Kingdom!

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.

Character Dining at Disneyland Parks is one of the greatest experiences you can plan. Between the parks and hotels you have five choices to sit and eat with your favorite Disney friends. Here you see my son, Jakob, hanging at Goofy’s Kitchen with none other than Goofy himself. For my family, character dining at Disneyland parks is one of the highlights of any good vacation!

Let’s discuss the options available:

Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park: Join Minnie and Friends for a delicious Character Breakfast in the Park! There’s not many better ways to start your day at Disneyland then with Minnie, Mickey, and more. The all you care to eat breakfast buffet consists of many options. Included are cold cereals, fresh pastries, omelet station, and of course Mickey Waffles. Don’t forget your autograph book and camera to capture all the memories!

Ariel’s Grotto at Disney’s California Adventure Park: Join Ariel and some of her closest Princess friends for a celebration. Here you will be escorted to meet with Ariel for a quick chat and picture taking prior to being seated. You will be offered a selection of plates from the fixed-price menu. Choices range from the famous slow-roasted tri-tip to pasta and more. Included with your meal are family-style salads and desserts. While dining, you’ll enjoy an excellent view of not only Paradise Pier, but will be visited by many Princesses, perhaps even the Fairy Godmother will stop by if her schedule allows. Dining Tip: Recent changes to Ariel’s Grotto dining have moved Dining with Princesses to Breakfast and Lunch only. Dinner reservations are now offered as a World of Color package.

Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel: Fresh California offerings at all meals is the claim to fame for the PCH Grill (Pacific Coast Highway). Join Mickey for a Surf’s Up! Breakfast which features an all you care to eat buffet with all your favorites, including of course Mickey Waffles and Pancakes. You can let your kids head up and create their own breakfasts as well. All while experiencing your favorite Mickey friends and sitting among a beach themed restaurant with surfboards and oversized kites hanging about. Character Dining available for breakfast only.

Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel: Who knew that Goofy could cook, well he will surprise you for sure. Head over to his place for a great character dining option. Another all you care to eat buffet option is awaiting you for breakfast and dinner. No lunch option available. Goofy needs to nap you know. For breakfast, treat your kids to the peanut butter and jelly pizza for a delicious treat that you will likely never make yourself. At dinner time, enjoy a selection of carved meats, salad station and more. However, save room for your soft serve yogurt with your own topping choices. Party Tip: If you’re celebrating a birthday or other occasion, then Goofy’s Kitchen is the place for the big day celebration!

Storyteller’s Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa: Chip and Dale invite you to breakfast and an unforgettable experience. Chip and Dale are known for their mischievous sides and they let it all out during your breakfast with them. Here you may order directly off the menu or select from the market buffet that includes fresh fruit, made to order omelettes and the ever popular Mickey Mouse Waffles. In addition to hanging out with Chip, Dale and their friends you get to spend some time doing lots of interactive fun. You’ll have to show up to find out what tricks and surprises they have in store for you!

Please note that I highly recommend you make advanced dining reservations for each of these restaurants. They will fill up fast for good reason. Get your reservations done early for the best selection. Additionally, please know that all the Character Dining at Disneyland Parks is breakfast. However, Goofy’s Kitchen will also serve a character dinner and Ariel’s Grotto offers a lunch. Quick Tip: Ariel’s Grotto is still listing a Princesses Dinner option online, however I’ve been told by Disney Dining that dinner no longer includes Princesses.

I hope you find this information fun, new and worthwhile.

Contact DisneyDaniel today to book your first, next or Best Disney Vacation!

Written by Daniel Mullarkey, DisneyDaniel — Daniel is a self-proclaimed Disney Geek, Disney Vacation Planner and a Disney Specialist! When he’s not adding to the plethora of Disney trivia in his head, you can find DisneyDaniel on his Facebook Page and/or follow him on Twitter!  Book your next vacation with Daniel at 425-420-8988 ordaniel@destinationsinflorida.com.

 

Edge is the youth activities area for kids 11 to 14. Kids can play videogames, watch television, participate in arts and crafts, sing karaoke, go on scavenger hunts and much more. Operating hours vary but the club is normally open from 9am-midnight. Make sure your child goes to Edge the first day of the cruise. All of the kids get together and decide what activities they are going to do the rest of the cruise on the first night.  The youth counselors help kids start making friends by putting them in groups based on their age and interests. One of the most unique Edge experiences on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder is the navigaton simulator. The simulator has interactive buttons that lets kids navigate a virtual ship in and out of various ports of call.  To make the experience even more realistic, LCD “windows” enable kids to scan the bridge, thanks to a live video feed from the actual bridge.  The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream have green rooms where kids can star in their own television broadcast.  I tried out the green room during open house.  I had way too much fun pretending to be a tv news anchor reporting on breaking news from the Disney Dream.  Here are some of the other activities youth can find in Edge:

• That’s Hilarious- Our counselors will transform you into Improv comedians while you learn      the basics of Improv, movie scene interactions and comedy games just like the stars of the Disney Channel hit, So Random!
• Ghost Voyagers- The ship is passing through mysterious waters of history and legend. Strange occurrences have happened to several passengers in the past. Equipped with state-of-the-art ghost-hunting gear, it’s up to the “Ghost Voyagers” to solve the mystery.
• Pizza Perfection- Answer trivia questions to win pizza toppings and create the perfect pizza. After the game is over, the pizzas are cooked and shared by all.
• A Pirate’s Life for Me- Arrr you pirate enough? Compete in physical challenges and answer trivia questions about ye olde time scalawags and buccaneers in this game to see who will claim the infamous pearl.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over eight 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.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has one of the best splash park areas of any of Disney’s resorts. The large play area has squirt hoses, water slides and a water feature that gently dumps a huge bucket of water over the play area.

Take a look at the Splash Park here:

About the Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a tropical lakeside paradise set on beautiful 45-acre Barefoot Bay. Sail away to the inviting Caribbean, where lazy days are devoted to sun and sand, swaying palm trees and island foods.

Celebrate the spirit of tropical locales—from the legacy of colonial forts to lively markets—and enjoy the beaches, exotic birds, relaxing strolls or even a snooze in a hammock.

Accommodations range from standard-level rooms to special, limited-quantity pirate-themed rooms. These unique rooms feature pirate-ship beds, buccaneer accessories and swashbuckling décor from stem to stern. Plan ahead, reserve a pirate room and revel in an extraordinary vacation experience.

All Resort Guest rooms are arranged into 6 villages—Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Martinique, Barbados, Aruba and Jamaica—spread over 200 lushly landscaped acres. Each village is a welcoming collection of pastel-colored 2-story buildings clustered around its own swimming pool, all surrounding the white-sand beaches of Barefoot Bay.

The Resort’s Main Lobby, including Registration and Guest Services, is located inside the Custom House, a charming tropical pavilion designed to resemble the reception area of an exotic Caribbean retreat. The Custom House is physically separated from many of the Resort villages, and it may be some distance from your room. If you do not have an automobile, a shuttle is available to take you to your room.

The hub of the Resort is Old Port Royale, where you will discover dining, a lounge, shopping and a Concierge Desk. When it’s time to eat, you’ll find something for everyone—from quick snacks to a full-service restaurant, and even a food court themed like a quaint Caribbean town.

At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the choices for recreation and relaxation seem endless. The Marina rents a variety of watercraft—from sailboats and pontoon boats to a canoe for two. Walk the landscaped paths, take a bike ride or soak up some fun at the sprawling pool complex themed like an old Spanish fortress—complete with towers, antique cannons and a water slide.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has been designated by the Florida Green Lodging Program, recognizing the Resort’s environmentally responsible practices.

Activities for Children
A footbridge across Barefoot Bay takes you to Caribbean Cay, home to a meandering nature trail and playground. Little kids will love the children’s water play area that features squirt hoses and 3 water slides. Bigger kids can test their skills on video games and pinball in the arcade.

 

This week, let’s visit our nation’s capital for a truly one-of-a-kind vacation!  This 8 night/7 day Adventure by Disney will take your family through the amazing history of our country, in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.,  Monticello and Gettysburg.

Your family will tour Philadelphia by trolley, visit Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell.  From Philadelphia, your family will head off to Washington, D.C., where you will have lunch in the heart of the city.  After which you will kayak on the Potomac River.  Seriously!  Can you imagine, gliding down the Potomac in a kayak with a privately guided tour?  Amazing.

You will also visit the Iwo Jima Monument, Arlington National Cemetary, and witness the change of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Then spend a day at Monticello.  This 5,000 acre plantation was Thomas Jefferson’s home.

Then on to Gettysburg.  At the visitor’s center at Gettysburg National Park, see A New Birth of Freedom, a film with award-winning actors that depicts the historic battle that heralded the end of slavery. Afterward, marvel at the breathtaking cyclorama painted by the French artist Paul Philippoteaux in the late 1880s depicting the Battle of Gettysburg. The cyclorama’s recent restoration was the largest conservation effort of its kind in North America.  Then you will discover the history of the city with a costumed guide- learning what life was like in Gettysburg.

Immerse yourself in the life and lore of George Washington at his 8,000-acre plantation on Mount Vernon. Your family will discover Washington’s architectural achievements, enjoy the vibrant gardens and learn the details of 19th-century life as you browse the estate’s extraordinary curatorial collection.

To book this or any other Adventure by Disney, contact Diana at diana@destinationsinflorida.com today!

 

Written by Diana Edgar — Diana is an Adventures by Disney Expert on United States trips and around the world.  Are you ready for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation?  Diana is ready to help you plan your magical Disney vacation. Book your next vacation with Diana at diana@destinationsinflorida.com.

Main Street Electrical Parade in the Magic Kingdom

Delight in this nighttime parade of glowing, spinning, gliding floats filled with beloved Disney characters and dancers. Watch the Main Street Electrical Parade right here!

Tink Leads the Way During the Main Street Electrical Parade

Be sure to check the Times Guide at Magic Kingdom park for the schedule and showtimes. Since this is an outdoor show, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Showtimes are subject to change.

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

How have I never eaten here before!?! Raglan Road at Downtown Disney is AMAZING! The food is delicious and the service is awesome!

When you are first seated a server welcomes you to the restaurant. Out server was extremely helpful with the questions we had. We were interested in the Kiss Before Shrimp appetizer. However, it has chilies in it, when we asked how spicy it was she responded that it did have some spice but they could make the dish with out the chilies for us. I then asked her opinion between the Fish and Chips and the Raglan Risotto. I’m a huge fan of fish and chips and risotto so I was having a hard time deciding. Our server told me she was a big fan of the risotto so that is what I went with!

While we waited for our appetizer theft brought us out Irish Soda Bread and a Guinness glaze, which is a sweet glaze made up of sugar, Guinness, and olive oil for dipping. The bread and the glaze are out of this world! I can’t wait to try making this bread myself!

The Kiss Before Shrimp was delicious! It was the perfect blend of garlic, butter, and lemon juice. And the baguette they served with it was perfect to soak up all the sauce! I knew I ordered the right thing when our entrees came out. Just looking at the risotto I knew it was going to be amazing! And when I took that first bite, I was in heaven! Hands down best risotto I have ever had! The fish and chips came out wrapped in white paper served in a silver cone. The server then takes the cone and essentially shakes out the fish and chips on to you plate. The fish was light and crispy and not at all greasy. The chips were cooked perfectly, crunchy yet warm and soft on the inside! We finished our meal with the Dunbrody Kiss. As they describe it is chocolate, with some more chocolate, and then add more chocolate. And they are not lying! It is chocolate overload in the best possible way! They start with a crust of crushed up snickers and corn flakes. Yeah, you read that right, crushed up snickers and corn flakes, then they top that with a chocolate mousse and cover that with a chocolate ganache. Then they top it off with a chocolate drizzle and two chocolate pieces. Oh My Gosh! This dessert was amazing! And you better believe we ate every last bite!

Over all my first experience at Raglan Road was amazing and it definitely won’t be my last!

 

Written by Meghan Blair, the “Disney Foodie” — As a Florida Resident, Meghan combines her love of Disney and her love of food! She will give you the best restaurant and dining tips and suggestions to make your meals, just as magical as the rest of your vacation! Book your next vacation with Meghan at 954-328 7090 or meghan@destinationsinflorida.com.

I love Hollywood Studios,  It has amazing rides such at Star Tours, The Great Movie Ride, Toy Story Mania, and of course a Ride on the Elevator of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.   I have based this weeks trivia on the Hollywood Tower Hotel!

 

 

For this weeks TRIVIA CHALLENGE, please put your answers into comments below and we will pick a winner that will be announced on Monday April 15th.  This contest will be open until Saturday at 6PM ET.

Please fill in the blanks of the sentence below:

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Hollywood Tower Hotel is EXACTLY ________ feet High,  This is because _______________________________________.

Remember, put your answers in comments below!  Answers must be submitted by Saturday at 6PM ET.  Good Luck!!!!

Written by Angela Spurgeon, also known as “TriviaTink” — Angela is an expert in planning Disney & Orlando vacations.  She specializes in traveling with toddlers.  Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Angela at angelas@destinationsinflorida.com.