Blog Posts Tagged activities

Magical Enhancements Coming to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

4/2/2018 • Walt Disney World • To say that there are some updates happening at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a bit of an understatement.  Disney is not holding anything back with all of the enhancements they are making at this resort! A few years ago, the rooms were reimagined with new, refreshed bedding and décor.  It was also one of the first moderate resorts to be able to accommodate up to 5 guests with the addition of the child size pull down bed in some rooms.  It only seems natural that now it takes on giving the main area an exciting new look. We’re about a year into these updates and they are coming along pretty quickly.  Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be reimagined with new additions to the resort’s current marketplace, Centertown, including new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. This centralized location will offer the resort’s guests more convenient access to services, amenities, […]

An “Incredible Summer” at Walt Disney World

3/30/2018 • Walt Disney World • A visit to Disney World this coming summer has all the makings to be a “Incredible” vacation!  Disney has recently announced several new amazing attractions and entertainment that will be opening this summer for your enjoyment.  Many will be for a limited time engagement!  The “Incredible” summer debut is Memorial Day weekend! Each of Disney World’s 4 theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs will be ready to amaze you with their “super” summer entertainment. Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom will be playing host to the characters from “The Incredibles” and soon-to-be released “Incredibles 2”.  Your family will get to join Frozone, Mr. Incredible, and for the first time ever Edna Mode as they celebrate summer with a “Super” style dance party on the Rocket Tower stage.  All around you, you will be immersed with the sights and sounds from the The Incredibles movies.    Animal Kingdom park will be […]

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show – A Review

3/21/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Wanting that unique and unforgettable family-style entertainment Walt Disney World is famous for? Look no further than the“Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show” located at Luau Cove in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort...just a short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom! Offering 2 shows a night, Tuesdays through Saturdays, the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is one to not only satisfy your hunger, but also excite you while you dine with an authentic Polynesian Luau! Fully immersed in the theme, you really feel like you’re on an island! It’s an experience our family cannot wait to try again! Upon arrival at the Polynesian, families will want to check in at the kiosk on the main floor to obtain their dining tickets, roughly 30-45 minutes prior to your show time. Groups are ushered to an area near Luau Cove where traditional leis are given to all, and a PhotoPass photographer will snap your […]

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

3/20/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • If you LOVE Magic Kingdom and plan to spend a lot of your time there, Disney's Contemporary Resort may be the perfect place to call "home" on your next Disney vacation.  Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the original Disney resorts that opened in 1971 along with Magic Kingdom and is located on the Resort Monorail system.  The monorail runs directly through this resort and makes a stop inside to load and unload passengers. In fact, it is so close to Magic Kingdom you can actually walk to the park.  This allows you to spend more of your vacation time at Magic Kingdom versus waiting for transportation to take you there.  It is also an excellent choice if you want a time-saving option to bring tired children back to take a nap or a swim in the middle of a hot Orlando afternoon. The Contemporary Resort has two sections of […]

What’s New at the Disney Parks in 2018!

3/12/2018 • Walt Disney World • “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths,” Walt Disney If you have visited any of the Disney parks within the last couple years, you will notice there are many exciting additions that have taken place. Some of these include: ● Firework shows ● Restaurants ● Parades ● Attractions ● Themed areas in the parks And so much more!!! Like Walt Disney quoted so long ago, Disney keeps moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things! Recently, at the D23 Expo, the Walt Disney company announced more exciting changes that are coming down the pipeline! In 2017, Disney announced that it would be building a new resort! Not just any resort, but it will be a STAR WARS themed resort! Hold my light saber, Disney has shared even more details about this exciting new […]

Top Character/Themed Dining with a Special Needs Child

3/9/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • As I have mentioned in previous entries, my oldest son, is living with Fragile X Syndrome.  A genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges.   Even my “typically” developing children have struggled with some behavioral challenges while visiting Walt Disney World.  Although the parks are amazing, there are so many amazing dining options throughout the property.  Character and/or themed dining is often as exciting as visiting the parks! Character dining offers an opportunity to have a meet and greet with characters without the long lines, nor the pressure of someone waiting in line behind you!  In many locations, the characters circulate table to table to ensure you have 1 on 1 time with them!  In our many trips, although we love the different locations and themes, often times we found the locations didn’t work for my family.  I won’t go into all of the various challenges we have […]

Ways to Save at Disney

2/28/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Heading to Disney and on a budget? Not a problem. I’ve got a few tips and tricks this month that will help your dollar stretch a little farther so you can splurge on the Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Ears you’ve been eyeing. 1. Get a kid’s meal instead of an adult one at the quick service restaurants. Not only are the kid’s meals inexpensive, but they also provide just enough food so that you won’t have leftovers that you either have to throw away or figure out where to store them on your next ride. Plus, it never hurts leaving a little room for a Dole Whip. 2. Bring your own snacks and even lunch into the park. Disney permits a small cooler, no larger than 24” X 15” X 18” which is perfect for some PB and J sandwiches. Other items like apples and trail mix also travel really […]

Tips for Going to Disney as a Large Group

2/5/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • “This will be so much fun”, “Let’s see if my sisters, brother and parents want to go too.”  Planning a group trip can be so exciting and at the same time overwhelming!  Whether you are taking your larger than “average” immediate family, friends, or a multi-generational Disney trip I have some great tips that will help in experiencing Disney as a large group.   Timing When planning to go to Disney as a large group I try to go during a discounted or off peak travel time (if you have any flexibility in your travel dates).  Going during an off peak travel time can help save  money as well as help you go during a less busy time of the year.  Some off peak travel times to consider include: -Mid January - mid February -First 3 weeks in May -Late August and September -First 2 weeks in November and First […]

Doubletree by Hilton REVIEW – A Disney Springs Resort Area Hotel

1/26/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Many guests visiting Walt Disney World have their favorite resorts, or favorite locations, in which they stay and enjoy their time. One of my first trips to WDW was spent at a Good Neighbor Hotel on Hotel Boulevard - close to Disney Springs (then Downtown Disney). Jump forward to December, and my family took a last minute trip to WDW and needed a place to stay. When all on-property resorts were sold out, we looked to Hotel Boulevard/Disney Springs Resort Area hotels first! We chose to stay at The Doubletree by Hilton at Disney Springs! The Doubletree by Hilton is a short walk or drive to Disney Springs. As an all-suite hotel, you are sure to find accommodations to suit your party! Rooms are large, with two to three rooms (depending on your suite needs), containing a kitchenette, living area with pull-out couch, and a bedroom that can be separated […]

Review of the Re-imagined Hall of Presidents

1/22/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • When you begin planning your next trip to Walt Disney World, what thoughts come to your mind?  Princesses?  Mickey Mouse?  Cinderella’s castle?  Is the newly re-opened Hall of Presidents on your “Must Do” list?  Legacy, history and patriotism is what comes to mind when I think of the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World.  On a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, I had the privilege of enjoying this classic attraction for the first time in over a decade! Having grown up in Springfield, IL, the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, Presidential history was a constant throughout my education.   Perhaps, it may have caused me to lack the appreciation for the Hall of Presidents.  Over the last 20 years,  I had only visited this attraction less than 5 times.  This attraction has been closed for renovation for nearly a year, and honestly, absence makes the heart grow fonder! We entered the […]