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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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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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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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4/18/2023 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
After Hours Events at Walt Disney World offer a unique way for guests to experience the parks with special perks that aren’t available during regular operating hours. After attending the last After Hours Event at Magic Kingdom for the season, I’m here with the low-down on what to expect during these events and how to figure out if the cost is worth it for you. What are Disney After Hours Events? Disney After Hours Events are limited-capacity, special-ticketed three-hour events that occur after park closing and are offered at select parks on specific dates for a fee. No park pass reservation or additional theme park admission ticket required! Although details differ from park to park, these events provide the opportunity to experience several attractions with little to no wait, the opportunity to meet beloved characters, and enjoy unlimited snacks from cart locations throughout the parks. What happens during a Disney […]
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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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3/31/2023 • Walt Disney World •
Walt Disney World's Epcot is a unique theme park that celebrates the culture and traditions of different countries around the world. Epcot is a fantastic place to experience the world in a single day! Annually, Epcot hosts four spectacular festivals celebrating art, food, music, and entertainment worldwide. Each festival offers unique activities and experiences that will make your visit to Walt Disney World unforgettable! We'll explore each festival and discuss what makes them unique so you can decide which one will give your family a memorable experience. Let’s explore a sample of what each seasonal festival has to offer: The Festival of the Arts offers an immersive experience in visual, culinary, and performing arts. You can watch live performances of Broadway show tunes performed live, create your own masterpiece with hands-on activities and explore the world of food with unique dishes from around the globe. Epcot’s International Festival of Arts […]
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3/17/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Did you know there is a professional photography studio at Disney Springs where you can have family and individual portraits taken? It's true! Located in the Marketplace of Disney Springs is where you'll find this not-so-hidden gem with unique backdrops and fun props. The best part is that it's free of charge if you have already purchased the Memory Maker photo package! No reservations are needed. Just stop by and get in line! My family popped in for a quick 15–20-minute session during our Disney Spring/break day and got some great shots. We arrived about 15 minutes before they opened and were second in line. By the time the studio opened, however; there were about 20 people behind us, so plan accordingly because it can get busy. Hours change daily, so be sure to check your My Disney Experience app before arriving. Even though the sessions are quick, the photographers […]
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