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7/28/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
As Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa enters its 35th year, they are wrapping up a huge refurbishment of all their guest rooms. Sago Cay is the most recently completed building and happens to be the building we stayed in. The Grand Floridian is a deluxe resort and sits along the Monorail in the Magic Kingdom area of Disney World. The Grand Floridian has always been known for its Victorian charm and amazing restaurants. Citrico’s reopened in 2020 with an updated look inspired by Mary Poppins Returns. Those subtle whimsical touches of cherry blossoms and butterflies have now been carried over to the guest rooms. The new rooms are bright and beautiful with gold, pinks, blues, and greens. There are even some details that are almost hidden in plain sight such as the single penguin sitting atop the chandelier or the silhouettes behind the coffee station. The rooms feature two […]
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7/14/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
In 2023 and extended through 2024 - those Walt Disney Resort guests who have a stay booked at a Deluxe Disney Resort or Deluxe Villa Disney Resort are eligible for Extended Evening Hours on limited and select nights at either Magic Kingdom Park or Epcot. These Extended Evening Hours allow entry for only those deluxe resort guests to enjoy theme parks at a lower capacity beyond normal park closing hours. Combined with the early theme park entry for all resort guests, you can really maximize your park time! This amazing evening perk to those staying at one of Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts also affords them one more super, and free, opportunity to experience the hottest new attractions in each park! In the My Disney Experience app, those staying at a Deluxe Resort during an Extended Evening Hours day, get the chance to join the Virtual Queue for Tron Lightcycle […]
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7/7/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
As someone who normally flocks to the Caribbean islands for some reprieve, I wanted to try something a little different for my milestone birthday. Since my husband had never been to Europe, we thought we might do a “sampler” of various spots and the best way to do that was a cruise. There are so many great cruising options in Europe that we had a hard time deciding which one would be best for us. Europe has a lot of smaller cruise lines with a large focus on service, quality, and destination. Viking, AmaWaterways, and Azamara are a few examples. While it was a hard choice, we ultimately chose Azamara because of the itinerary it offered. Specifically, they dock for longer, including late night and even some overnight stays, which gave us more time to explore the destinations. They also tout themselves to be the leader in Destination Immersion experiences, […]
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12/17/2024 • Blog, Disneyland •
Bonjour! Are you a Disney lover planning a trip to the captivating city of Paris? If so, I recommend including a visit to Disneyland Paris on your vacation itinerary. As the ultimate destination for Disney enthusiasts, Disneyland Paris offers a magical and unforgettable experience that perfectly complements the cultural wonders of the French capital. I just had the pleasure of visiting Disneyland Paris on my most recent European vacation and am going to share my top 5 reasons to include a visit to Disneyland Paris. Magical Disney Experience: Disneyland Paris offers a unique and enchanting Disney experience that captures the essence of the beloved brand. From classic attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle or Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, to immersive lands like Fantasyland and Adventureland, the park is filled with the magic and wonder that Disney lovers crave. Disneyland Paris offers attractions that are unique to just their […]
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12/19/2025 • Blog, Cruises, Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
If you have ever been on a Disney vacation or viewed any pictures of fans at Disney, you’ll see something in common with a large number of guests visiting the property. Guests everywhere – at Walt Disney World, at Disneyland, and on the Disney Cruise Line ships have their Disney themed Loungefly backpacks with them. I’ll admit that when I first saw the Loungefly craze I was a bit skeptical. I had a large, beautiful Vera Bradley backpack with a Minnie Mouse paisley pattern and I could fit everything I ever needed on a Disney vacation inside of it. So why would I purchase this small backpack instead and use it in the parks? Well time and pretty patterns eventually won me over and I bought my first Loungefly backpack. My first day of using my backpack I was blown away by how much I could fit inside my bag. […]
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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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7/30/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews, Tips •
Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point - Excursions for Your Alaskan Cruise You've booked your Disney Cruise to Alaska! Now it's time to decide which excursions you will want to experience while you are at a port of call. If your cruise itinerary includes a visit to Icy Strait Point, don't miss the opportunity to go whale watching in Alaska. We booked Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise (IS01) directly with Disney Cruise Line. This particular excursion caught my attention as they guaranteed seeing whales or they would refund your money. Since we had never been to Alaska before, I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to include this in our itinerary. Plus if we didn't see whales, we could try again at another port ... I wasn't prepared for the spectacular sights that awaited us!! Passengers met in Preludes then waited in the Walt Disney Theatre for all guests […]
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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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5/3/2023 • Cruises •
It’s almost here! You have been dreaming of setting sail on your Disney cruise for months and months, and the time has finally come! Soon you will be able to complete your online check-in. To keep you from being one of those frustrated sailors in your Facebook group, we are going to prepare you for smooth sailing through the online check-in process by making sure you are armed and ready with everything you need! Check-In dates vary by your Castaway Cay level or if you are sailing Concierge: - Pearl / Concierge Level = 40 days prior to sailing - Platinum Level = 38 days prior to sailing - Gold Level = 35 days prior to sailing - Silver Level = 33 days prior to sailing - First time Disney Cruise Line cruisers = 30 days prior to sailing Before Your Online Check-In Date: - Confirm the exact spelling and […]
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