If you are considering a Walt Disney World vacation for your family, you will find many options to consider.  With choices ranging from Value to Deluxe Villa accommodations, it can be a challenge!  Today, we will look at the four main categories of Disney Resort Hotels.

Disney Value Resorts – These resorts feature larger-than-life themes that will delight children of all ages. Your family can enjoy swimming pools, food courts with tons of choices for meals, pizza delivery and bright, colorful icons that decorate the landscape.

Disney Moderate Resorts – You can experience exotically themed locales. Full service restaurants, themed swimming pools with slides and tons of recreational opportunities abound.

Disney Deluxe Resorts – These resorts are the best of the best that Disney offers. Guests receive extraordinary service in incredible settings with character dining, full service restaurants, highly themed pools and spas. The close proximity to the parks is invaluable to guests who want the most from their Disney vacations.

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts – With the comforts of home, these resorts are perfect for the family desiring more space with the charm and exceptional service with a Disney touch. All of the amenities associated with a Deluxe Resort are included with these.

As you can see, there are many different room types and amenities available. It would be beneficial to enlist the help of an expert Disney vacation planner (like me!) to help choose the resort that will best fit your needs. There’s a Disney Resort to fit the budget and vacation desires of everyone!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

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Disney Fantasy is the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney Fantasy was christened by its godmother, Mariah Carey, in 2012. There a lots of extraordinary features on the Disney Fantasy that set this ship apart from the rest. Here are some of the highlights of this magnificent vessel.

Itineraries- Explore the Caribbean with a 7 Night Western or Eastern Cruise on the Disney Fantasy. Disney Fantasy has ports of call in St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Falmouth, Costa Maya, Key West, and Castaway Cay.

Youth Clubs & Activities- Disney Fantasy has many of the same features as its sister ship, the Disney Dream. Disney Fantasyhas theAquaLab in addition to the AquaDuck water coaster. AquaLab is an 1800 square foot water play area with pop jets, geysers, and bubblers. Disney Fantasy is the only cruise ship that has a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.Little girls receive princess makeovers throughout the cruise. On Pirate Night, the boutique transforms into Pirate League with pirate makeovers. Royal Court Royal Tea is a whimsical tea party where you and your little one will receive the royal treatment with some of your favorite Disney princesses.

Dining- The Disney Fantasy has three complimentary main dining restaurants including Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Court. Sorcerer Mickey transforms Animator’s Palate from black and white to a world of color during Animation Magic. Guests will also get a visit from Crush in Undersea Magic during dinner at Animator’s Palate. Palo and Remy are also available on the Disney Fantasy for adults only. There’s an extra fee for both of these specialty restaurants.

Entertainment- Disney’s Believe, Disney Wishes, and Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular are the Broadway style productions featured on the Disney Fantasy. The Tube, La Piazza, O’Gills Pub, Ooh La La, and Skyline are the adult only lounges in Europa.  Europa is the entertainment hub for all of the adults on the Disney Fantasy. The Midship Detective Agency is an interactive game for all guests. There are 20 pieces of enchanted artwork on the Disney Fantasy that come to life as you walk by to admire them. Guests will use the artwork to discover clues to solve cases for the detective agency. The Muppet Adventure Game is exclusive to the Disney Fantasy.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

Disney Dream is the third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney Dream is the sister ship to the Disney Fantasy. Disney Dream set sail for the first time in 2011 (12 years after the Disney Wonder). The Disney Dream is 40% larger than the first two Disney ships. Disney Dream has 14 decks and can hold up to 4,000 passengers. Let’s explore some of the ship’s highlights.

Itineraries- Guests on the Disney Dream can enjoy 3 and 4 Night Bahamian Cruises. Cruises depart from Port Canaveral and sail to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Youth Clubs & Activities- Disney Dream has themed youth clubs for kids of all ages. Disney Dream also introduced the world to the first water coaster at sea, the AquaDuck. AquaDuck spans four decks as you travel 765 feet. There’s usually a contest onboard to see who can ride the AquaDuck the most on each cruise.

Dining- The Disney Dream has three complimentary main dining restaurants including Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace. Disney Dream has two adult only restaurants, Palo and Remy. Palo is an Italian restaurant and Remy has French cuisine.

Family Entertainment- Disney’s Believe, Villains Tonight, and The Golden Mickeys are the Broadway style productions featured on the Disney Dream. Families can also enjoy first run films, fireworks, and lots of character interactions throughout their cruise.

Nightclubs & Lounges- The District is the adults only entertainment area on the Disney Dream. The District includes several bars and lounges such as District Lounge, 687,Evolution, Pink, and Skyline. Skyline is my favorite adult only area on the Disney Dream. The “skyline” behind the bar changes every 15 minutes with breathtaking views of various international skylines.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Dream, Disney Dream, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

If you have visited Walt Disney World at any time since its opening in 1971, it’s likely that you have enjoyed the Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. It’s basically a western stage show with a delightful crew of 18 singing and strumming Audio-Animatronic bears, featuring hand-clappin’ and knee-slappin’ country music.

Walt Disney originally planned for the show to be placed at a ski-resort that he was planning to build in Mineral, CA the mid 60’s.  While the resort was never built, his dream of the Country Bear Jamboree was carried out by imagineers and moved to Florida for the grand opening of Magic Kingdom.  It was one of the very last attractions that Walt Disney personally helped to develop.

Country Bear Jamboree is fondly known as the “Wildest Show in the Wilderness”!  It’s a place for young and old alike to enjoy an old-fashioned hoedown and refuge from the hot Florida sun or afternoon thunderstorm.  The show is upbeat and hilarious and includes catchy country ditties that will have you singing along.  The bears perform on 5 stages. Characters rise up from the stage on decorative platforms. Some descend from the ceiling.

The entire show was refurbished in 2012.  The bears were outfitted with new fur and the show was shortened a bit. A couple of songs and some dialogue were removed, thereby speeding up the show and keeping up the momentum of audience participation.

Be sure to head on over to the hootenanny at Country Bear Jamboree for some toe-tappin’ country music fun on your next trip to Walt Disney World.  You’ll have a roaring good time!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

For Walt Disney World guests seeking luxury, comfort, convenience and style, a stay at Disney’s Beach Club resort is the perfect choice!  Located within walking distance to Epcot Center, a stay at this New England style resort will remind you of an 1870’s mid-Atlantic beach holiday.

The resort features 583 rooms. Both standard rooms with two queen-size beds or one king-sized bed and suites are offered. Some of the rooms have a day bed as well. In addition, the Club Level rooms on the 5^th floor offer personalized concierge care with turn-down service. Guests staying at the Club Level also have private access to a lounge that includes a continental breakfast, midday snacks and evening beverages with hors d’oeuvres and dessert.

All guest rooms have a coffeemaker, small refrigerator, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, free wi-fi service, a small safe and a morning newspaper. Many amenities at the Beach Club are shared with the neighboring sister resort, Disney’s Yacht Club. Cape May Café is the perfect place for a character breakfast in the morning or an evening seafood buffet.  For a quick meal, try the Beach Club Marketplace and Beaches & Cream Soda Shop or Hurricane Hanna’s poolside bar. Nearby dining options at the Yacht Club include Yachtsman Steakhouse, a signature dining experience and Captain’s Grille.

Recreational opportunities are endless!  Children of all ages will have a blast at Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre sand bottom heated swimming complex complete with a lazy river and huge water slide. Enjoy whirlpool spas, salon, quiet pools, bike rental, boat rental, beach volleyball, an arcade, health club, movies under the stars and more! Parents can enjoy some time alone while kids can have fun at the Sandcastle Club, supervised childcare for ages 3-12 from 4:30 until midnight.

Transportation to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is provided by bus.  Water launch service will take you to Hollywood Studios and Epcot Center if you desire. Enjoy a delightful Disney vacation while experiencing luxury at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

The Disney Wonder is the second ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney Wonder is the sister ship to the Disney Magic. Disney Wonder set sail for the first time in 1999 and has been delighting passengers ever since. The Disney Wonder’s godmother, Tinkerbell, does her best to make sure every passenger has a magical vacation on each and every cruise. Let’s explore some of the ship’s highlights.

Itineraries- The Disney Wonder cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Bahamas, and the California Coast. Cruises on the Disney Wonder range from 2 Night Weekend Getaways to 15 Night Panama Canal cruise vacations.

Youth Clubs- Disney Cruise Line was designed with families in mind every step of the way. One of the major focuses of a Disney Cruise is making sure every kid onboard has a fantastic vacation filled with lots of fun activities. Youth clubs have activities and dedicated spaces for kids 3 months old to 17 years old.

Dining- The Disney Wonder has three complimentary main dining restaurants including Animator’s Palate, Parrot Cay, and Triton’s. With Disney’s rotational dining guests will get a chance to eat at each restaurant throughout their cruise while keeping the same dinner companions and servers. Guests can also dine in Palo for an adult only, fine dining experience. Deck 9 is where you can find the buffet and several quick service options to satisfy your appetite.

Family Entertainment- Disney Wonder offers tons of activities to give families time to have fun together during their cruise.Guests onboard the Disney Wonder can enjoy fantastic Broadway style shows such as Toy Story: The Musical, Disney Dreams- An Enchanted Classic, and The Golden Mickeys. There are also games shows, character meet and greets, deck parties, and much more to keep you entertained.

Nightclubs & Lounges- Route 66 is that action packed adults only entertainment area on the Disney Wonder. Route 66 includes Cadillac Lounge (piano bar), Diversions (sports pub), and Wavebands (game and party hotspot).

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over ten cruises taken on the Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

The Sum of All Thrills, presented by Raytheon is located in the Innovations East exhibit at Epcot Center. It is an interactive, design-your-own attraction simulator. Have you ever dreamed of designing your own roller coaster?  Here’s your chance!  At The Sum of All Thrills, you can design your own roller coaster, jet aircraft or bobsled. You will use a computer program to plan the drops, loops and curves of your own design. This is one of the most often overlooked “hidden gems” at Epcot Center.

There are a couple of things to be aware of when considering the attraction. Sum of All Thrills has a 48-inch height requirement. If you’re planning to design a coaster that goes upside down, the height requirement increases to 54 inches. The seats and restraints will prohibit guests of larger size. Be sure to try out the nearby testing seats before waiting in line.
Have fun designing your ride on an interactive touch screen. You will use math, science and engineering skills to determine your height and speed while adding features such as dips, hill climbs and corkscrew turns. You can change the height and width of each piece as well as velocity.  Once the ride is built, you will climb aboard the giant 4-D robotic arm simulator that uses sight, sound and movement and get ready to experience your very own design!  The realistic audio, high-definition video and motion will blow you away!

Tame or wild, you will want to experience The Sum of All Thrills again and again on your next Disney World vacation since each ride will be different according to your design.  Be sure to visit early in the day since this is a low capacity attraction and lines can be long in the afternoon.  Where else can you experience your own personalized ride in the comfort of air-conditioning?

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”   Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail.  She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at (804)405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

If you are planning a  Walt Disney World vacation, you probably know that it will cost a bit more than a trip to the beach.  Here are some tips to help you save!

• Know when to go!  Disney offers lower rates a certain times of the year based on season.  Try planning your vacation for September or January for the lowest rates on resort rooms. This will be your best bet to avoid the crowds and lower the cost.
• Cut travel costs!  Always compare prices with different airlines if it is not feasible for you to drive.  The cost of airfare could be less than driving for couples but is likely more if you are traveling with a family of 4 or 5.  Consider the cost of gasoline, food and overnight stops along the way if you’re driving.
• Save on lodging!  Stay at a Disney Resort Hotel if at all possible.  While cheaper accommodations can be found “outside the World”, there’s just something magical about staying on Disney property.  You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your room will be clean and comfortable.  In addition, you will have free use of Disney Transportation or free parking at the theme parks if you want to drive.  Another great benefit is the Extra Magic Hours in the theme parks you receive as a Disney resort guest.  If you fly into the Orlando International Airport, you will also have free roundtrip airport transportation on Disney’s Magical Express.  All of these benefits are available to you as a Disney Resort guest whether you choose a Value Resort or Deluxe Villa accommodations. A Value Resort can be just the ticket for families wanting to cut costs.
• Save on food!  Did you know that you can take food and drinks into the theme parks?  It’s perfectly acceptable to pack a lunch or take snacks into the parks- no glass or alcohol, please.  Or, save money by purchasing a Disney Dining Plan in advance and your meals will be covered.  If you pay out-of-pocket for meals, you might consider sharing a meal as the portions are quite large!

Always use a Disney Vacation Planner who watches for discounts and saves you money, even after you make a reservation.  With some creative planning, your family can have the vacation of a lifetime without breaking the bank!

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris” — Sheri is proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail. She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at 804 405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.