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10/2/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Walt Disney World parks closed March 15 and began a phased re-opening on July 11, 2020. After careful consideration, we decided to visit. We have been Annual Passholders for the better part of 2 decades and moved to Florida a little over three years ago. Visits to Walt Disney World has been a constant part of our lives. We reviewed ‘Know Before You Go’ leading up to our visit to make an informed decision. With the current reduced park capacity and the extensive safety measures that Disney has implemented, we made the decision to give it a try. We visited 3 of the 4 Walt Disney World Parks and Disney Springs during our stay. While our decision to visit may not be right for everyone, we made the decision that was right for my family. My oldest son has Fragile X Syndrome, the leading inherited genetic cause of intellectual impairment. […]
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9/29/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
If you are looking for a home away from home while visiting Walt Disney World, staying in a villa may be the right fit for you. All villas are located in Deluxe Level resorts and provide a variety of options that give you the comfort of homes including kitchens, which sets them apart from a typical resort room at Disney. The added square footage in the 1 + bedrooms also allows for a more relaxing feel and gives everyone more space, which is great on non-park days when you want to spend time at the resort and relax. The 1 + bedrooms also come with a washer/dryer, which is a great benefit, especially for longer stays. You can have grocery delivery to your resort, therefore, having the kitchen is a great option for in-room dining. Studios – sleeps up to 5 * 1 queen-size bed, 1 queen/double sleeper sofa, most […]
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9/25/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation during COVID-19, I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind, "How will I be able to handle wearing a mask all day in the Florida heat?" Well, as usual, Disney has thought of everything. Each Walt Disney World theme park has introduced new Relaxation Stations, designated areas where visitors can remove their masks in a safe and socially distanced environment. How does this work? Much like dining at a restaurant, visitors are required to wear masks until seated or standing at their designated place within the mask free zone. Only once in their designated space may guests remove their face coverings and take a breather. Upon leaving the Relaxation Station, guests are required to replace their masks. Luckily, many mask free zones are available to guests in each park, so no matter where you are, you will have one nearby! Magic Kingdom […]
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9/22/2020 • Blog •
Travel agents have evolved over the decades to be full-fledged travel planners, helping their clients with every little detail to create the perfect vacation. They are no longer 9 to 5 agents who book a flight and hotel and send the customer the itinerary and a map. Here are the most common myths about working with a travel agent and why now, more than ever, is the best time to entrust your vacation with a trained professional who is with you every step of the way. Myth #1: “I lose control of my vacation by booking with a travel agent.” FALSE - You do not relinquish control over your own vacation. In fact, the more involved you are in the process, the more your agent will get to know you and help perfect the details to suit your family’s style, requests, and requirements. You can still enjoy the planning and […]
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9/1/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Being the self-proclaimed Disney nuts that we are, it’s no surprise that when it was time to get our son’s first haircut, the Harmony Barbershop on Main Street USA in Disney World was at the top of our list. As with most “firsts” for your little one, the anxiety was high but there were a few reasons we loved the experience and continue to go back for a cut just about every time we are there now! They are so used to cutting kids'/babies' hair. Wiggles don’t worry them and they shouldn’t worry you either. These aren’t just professionals but they are cast members and they deal with kids all day. It’s more than just a haircut, it’s entertainment. They pull out all the tricks to keep your little one entertained and happy while they trim trim away. From stickers to light-up toys and an occasional song, it is a […]
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7/17/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
The Star Wars saga spans decades of storytelling. Having a brief background on the films helps when exploring Batuu at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Timeline A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, the Galactic Republic maintained peace and order in the galaxy with Jedi knights and elected senators. *During the prequel trilogy (Episodes I - III), the Sith ( the “dark side”) gain control of the Republic and form the Galactic Empire. *In the original trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), the Rebellion fights against the empire and forms the New Republic. *In the final trilogy (Episodes VII-IX), remnants of the Galactic Empire return as the First Order and attempt to gain back control of the galaxy. The Resistance rises up for a final battle. Backstory The Galaxy’s Edge storyline takes place between the events of Episodes VIII and IX. Batuu is located in the Outer Rim of […]
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6/25/2020 • Walt Disney World •
One thing that we have learned over the past few months is that everyone loves joining a sing-along. It doesn’t matter your age nor your singing ability, the chance to join your voice with the lyrics of some of your favorite tunes resonates with all of us. The new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is located at the back of France in Epcot. This is another treasure that Disney has in the World Showcase that you won’t want to miss. Located indoors, it has the added benefits of the perfect place to cool off in the heat, warm up in the winter cold, relax your feet in comfortable seating, and a darker room for kids that need to slow down a bit and reenergize. You will want to enter the building well before the start of a show so that you can enjoy the memorabilia of French classic stories that […]
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6/23/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
The Walt Disney Company is known for its high entertainment standard. When you enter the parks, you expect that level of entertainment with their parades, fireworks, rides, characters, and shows. Aside from the well-known fun that Disney offers, one show that does not want to go unnoticed is the Dapper Dans!! This is not to say they are not well known, but for those new to Disney Parks, they may not be on your radar but they should be. This quartet of men can be found on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland (since 1959) and Disney World (since 1971). What do they do exactly? They are a barbershop quartet that comes out to sing, harmonize, and tap dance for guest’s entertainment! Most are even members of the Barbershop Harmony Society! They perform during the daytime hours in the Magic Kingdom. Sometimes you will see them perform using Deagon Organ Chimes […]
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6/18/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
*The following blog post contains anecdotal information about travel during pregnancy. It is not presented or intended to be used as medical advice. Consult your OB/GYN or advanced practice provider before you travel for medical advice specific to your circumstances. A Disney vacation is something the entire family can look forward to! With the attractions, characters, shows, and so much more, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy! But as a travel specialist, I am occasionally let in on some joyous news, often before families are ready to announce it publicly– someone in the family is expecting a baby! While this is incredibly exciting, mothers-to-be are often understandably nervous about what they will be able to do during their vacation. Will they be able to enjoy the Disney experience with the rest of the family? In my personal experience- YES! I have visited Disney World three times […]
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6/5/2020 • Walt Disney World •
If you are looking for evening activities, head over to the Boardwalk resort area where you can experience shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. The Boardwalk is a short boat ride or walk from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is a quarter of a mile-long promenade created around Crescent Lake and designed to look like a quaint Mid-Atlantic seaside village from the early 1900s. Crescent Lake is surrounded by 3 Deluxe category resorts (Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk), restaurants, and a variety of entertainment venues. You can stroll the Boardwalk any time of the day and enjoy the extras that are only a few steps out of your resort door. If you are a sports fan and want to watch your favorite NFL team on a Sunday or take in a big sporting event, you can stop in the ESPN Club which hosts live. Schedules vary so check out ESPN […]
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