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6/6/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
You've booked your Disney Cruise to Alaska! If your cruise itinerary includes a visit to Icy Strait Point, don't miss the opportunity for a spectacular view and a thrill of a lifetime. While I love roller coasters at the Disney theme parks, I admittedly don't seek adventure or big thrills. After my sons researched and watched a video online, I knew we had to include this once in a lifetime excursion as part of our itinerary and so we booked the World's Largest ZipRider (IS06) through Disney Cruise Line. This exciting excursion provided a breathtaking view of the Disney Wonder and a glimpse of Glacier Bay National Park and would be a highlight of our entire family vacation. After enjoying lunch onboard the cruise ship, we headed out for our next adventure. We rode the transporter (gondola ride) up to the check-in point for the excursion. After signing our waivers, […]
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5/30/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Did you know that Disney is more than theme parks and cruises? Disney has beach destinations in Vero Beach, FL, Hilton Head Island, SC and Aulani in Ko Olina, HI. After spending a few days in the parks, my family looks forward to some time relaxing and a little beach time. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is heaven on earth. It is perfect for a getaway or adding on a few days before or after a Walt Disney World Park vacation or a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Vero Beach is a 2-hour drive from Orlando and 1 ½ hours from Port Canaveral cruise port. There are multiple places tucked away to enjoy a good book, a cocktail or just a nap. You will find rocking chairs, hammocks, and lounge chairs throughout the resort enjoy the sea breeze and the ocean view. To end the evening, you can join other families beside […]
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5/19/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
With the sacrifices that military families make daily, a small token of appreciation that corporations and retailers can offer is a military discount. If you are headed to Disney World as a military family- your dollar will go farther with a number of discounts available to you! Disney World Room Discounts In addition to the convenience and location, there is just something about the Disney resorts that adds that extra bit of magic and pixie dust to your stay. And for eligible servicemembers and their spouses, Disney offers a great discounted room offer! Traveling with a large family in multiple rooms? No problem! Up to three rooms may be reserved using the discount. Some resorts are excluded from the military discount— including Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and the Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (suites are eligible for the discount). Just remember, a […]
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5/9/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
After five long years of anticipation, Magic Kingdom’s newest attraction is finally open! Tron Lightcycle Run is a fast-paced coaster that launches you right into the grid on a motorcycle-type ride vehicle. How to Ride There are currently only two ways to ride this attraction: Virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane. There is a 7 am and 1 pm virtual queue available and one additional 6 pm virtual queue for guests staying at a deluxe Walt Disney World Resort. Tips for Joining the Virtual Queue: · Log in to the My Disney Experience app and select Join Virtual Queue from the home screen. · Disable the wi-fi and use your phone’s data. · Select your party BEFORE 7 am. · Start hitting refresh at 6:59 am until you are accepted in the virtual queue and assigned a boarding group. It’s not unusual for the virtual queue to fill up within […]
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4/28/2023 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews •
I had the pleasure of sailing on the Disney Wonder with my family and one of our ports of call was Catalina Island and it turned out to be one of my favorite stops on our cruise! Catalina Island feels like a private wonderland. The island is full of quaint shops, happy tourists, fun restaurants, and endless beauty. There are no stop lights, everyone walks everywhere, and the crime is super low. Catalina is 22 miles off the coast of Southern California and is known for its beautiful wildlife, scuba diving, ziplining, and offers a charming coastal town feel. It’s full of interesting facts too. The island is owned by the chewing gum king, William Wrigley who also owned the Chicago Cubs. He brought spring training to the island for over thirty years. Catalina is also home to the oldest golf course in Southern California, Avalon. More than 4,000 people […]
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4/25/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Let’s face it, sometimes it can be difficult for tweens and teens to get excited about rides at Magic Kingdom. It can seem that Magic Kingdom has more rides and attractions for smaller kids. Here’s my top 10 rides for tweens & teens by location: Tomorrowland: 1. Astro Orbiter This high-flying ride sometimes gets overlooked. Maybe because in order to board this 2-person spacecraft, you take a quick elevator ride up to the launch pad. You’re able to control how high you fly by pulling or pushing the lever inside your retro spacecraft. The best time to fly is at night to get a great view of the park light up at night or during the fireworks for an extra special view! 2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Get ready to help fight Zurg from stealing batteries from helpless toys by aiming your infrared laser cannon at the glowing Z […]
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9/17/2024 • Blog, Universal Studios Orlando •
Do you have a Jurassic Park fan in your family? I have two in mine. If you love the movies like we do, visiting Universal's Islands of Adventure is a must. Inside the Jurassic Park area you will find 4 quick service restaurants, shops, and several attractions including 3 rides. The three rides within this area are perfectly themed. First is the classic Jurassic Park River Adventure being a water ride that takes you through the original story line, with an 85-foot drop at the end. You must be at least 42 inches to ride. Second is Pteranodon Flyers. This attraction takes guests in the air suspended from the wings of a Pteranodon. You must be between 36 and 56 inches to enjoy this attraction, however for those guests under 48 inches an adult is allowed to ride with them. The third and newest ride in this area is the […]
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4/11/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
Disney Cruise Line has enhanced their cruise ship dining on the Disney Wish by adding more entertainment to their rotational dining experiences. My favorite of the new options is Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and let me share my experience from the trip and why this restaurant was my favorite dining experience onboard. Tables are assigned for dining at all of Disney Cruise Line’s rotational restaurants so don’t be concerned if you are running a few minutes late. Those that arrive before the restaurant opens, will wait in the fully decorated entrance hall to the restaurant complete with port windows covered in frosty designs. You’ll be able to view and take pictures with the royal portraits and statue of armor, just as Anna and Elsa experienced growing up in their Arendelle castle. Once you enter the main dining hall, you’ll be seated around the performance stage set in the middle […]
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4/4/2023 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World •
Since its opening in the Fall of 2021, a reservation at Space 220 Restaurant has been one of the more elusive Walt Disney World dining reservations to secure. But is this galactic restaurant worth the price tag? Space 220 is an immersive dining experience where you’ll be enjoying culinary delights while taking in views of the galaxy from the Centauri Space Station. When you arrive, you will be handed your boarding pass. When your group is called you will board the space elevator which will shoot you 220 miles up into space. Be sure to watch the windows below for incredible views of Florida as you rise higher and higher! Lunch and Dinner menus at Space 220 are both prix-fixe consisting of modern American cuisine. Lunch consists of an appetizer and entree. Dinner will be an appetizer, entree, and dessert. If you are looking for something lighter but still want […]
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2/28/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is an exciting experience for the whole family, but it can also be stressful if you have family members who are not as enthusiastic about the trip as you are. Here are some tips on how to get everyone excited about your upcoming Walt Disney World adventure and make it a truly magical experience for everyone. Include everyone in the Planning Process Research Together Download the My Disney Experience app and view park maps, attractions, dining menus, and character meet and greets. Watch YouTube Videos Talk About Favorite Disney / Pixar / Star Wars characters and films! Is there a favorite character someone would LOVE to meet or see in a parade? If you have Star Wars fans, you’ll want to be sure to take a closer look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and plan for extra activities. Wish […]
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