If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Central Florida, you won’t want to miss the chance for a wild train ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, located in Frontierland!  This attraction takes guests on a runaway mine train and is the perfect introduction to roller coasters for kids. Although the ride is sometimes dark and bumpy, it’s tame enough for youngsters while providing thrills, excitement and a rush of adrenaline for all.

Also known as “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness”, the setting for Big Thunder Mountain is based on the early days of America’s Gold Rush. Riders travel through a realistic mining town with caverns, caves and an abandoned mine shaft.  The twists and turns are relatively mild but guests must be 40 inches tall to ride.

The 197 foot high mountain was constructed with 4,675 tons of cement, 650 tons of steel and 16,000 gallons of paint to make it resemble the mountains of Monument Valley, Utah.  The electrical equipment, pumps and machinery needed for the attraction are hidden inside the huge redstone mountain.

Along the journey, you’ll pass under a waterfall, see the remnants of a flash flood and encounter a host of bats, swinging possums, buzzards and a goat. You’ll get a kick out of the twenty authentic looking Audio-Animatronic figures as you speed through the mining town with a waterfall, a flood, an earthquake and falling rocks along the way!

So, secure your Fastpass+ and hop on a speeding train next time you visit the Magic Kingdom.  If possible, ride it once during the day and again at night.  You don’t want to miss the fun of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

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 Haunted Mansion is one of the original major attractions at Walt Disney World. The wait can sometimes be long so Disney installed an interactive queue in 2011 to help guests pass the time and have fun as well! The queue is inspired from characters that are inside the Haunted Mansion. Kids and adults will have fun interacting with the musical crypt, a water-squirting tomb, a hands-on library and a ghost writer while waiting to enter the Haunted Mansion. The hands-on experiences that are exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort include:

• The Musical Crypt Touch any of the embossed musical instruments on this creepy metal crypt to hear a haunted tune mysteriously play. Several people can play here at the same time!

• Sepulcher of the Sea Captain Water sprays, leaks and bubbles up from this age-old tomb as the Captain inside sings a long-lost tune. You will have a blast watching the unsuspecting ‘victim’ get sprayed with the mist from his sneeze!

• Tomb of the Posthumous Poetess Words inexplicably appear upon the tomb of Prudence Pock. Can you help her overcome a deadly dose of writer’s block?

• The Secret Library Push in the books that intermittently pop out at the haunted bookcase. It also includes a cryptogram for you to decipher but it’s difficult and often overlooked. You most likely just enjoy playing ‘whack-a-mole’ with the books as they pop out!

Be sure to read all of the comical tombstones as you explore the graveyards along the way.  Don’t miss the little details as you begin your journey toward the Haunted Mansion during your Disney World vacation.

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.

Bellatrix Lestrange, Lord Voldemort and the Trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Ride

Today (May 13, 2014), Universal Orlando Resort revealed details about Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Ride – the revolutionary attraction found in the heart of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. The Grand Opening date for the spectacularly themed environment will be announced at a later date.

Imagine being part of the iconic moment from the Harry Potter film series where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into one of the most guarded places in the wizarding world – Gringotts bank – to retrieve a magical object that will help defeat Lord Voldemort. You’ve seen the action on-screen, and now you get to be part of it.

Universal’s creative team worked hand-in-hand with Stuart Craig and his production team from the Harry Potter films to immerse guests in this pivotal scene from the final Harry Potter book and film.

During an action-packed, fully-immersive journey on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you will:

• Marvel at the atop Gringotts Wizarding Bank

• Tour Gringotts bank and pass through the marble hall where you’ll see goblins hard at work
• Race through a labyrinth of underground Gringotts vaults
• Encounter the villainous Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, as she attempts to send you to your doom

• Come face to face with He Who Must Not Be Named
• Experience even more mind-blowing moments

The multi-dimensional, multi-sensory attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, will revolutionize theme park entertainment. This next generation thrill ride seamlessly integrates a compilation of the most innovative technology ever created, 360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems and live special effects with beloved characters and breathtaking moments from the Harry Potter books and films.

“Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts will change the way you think about theme park attractions,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “We’ve created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before, and guests will remember it long after their visit toDiagon Alley.”

Watch a video with more details about Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life. The new area will double the size of the sweeping land already found at Universal Orlando, expanding the spectacularly themed environment across both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Inside the land, guests will enjoy themed shops, dining experiences and the groundbreaking thrill ride – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley opens Summer 2014 at Universal Orlando Resort.

Book your Disney & Orlando vacation with a local travel agency. World famous services, free gifts, guaranteed lowest prices, and all at no cost to you! Book your vacation with the local experts – we live where you’re traveling! Call 877-918-8941 or visit us online

Disney is testing a free service to help guests charge their mobile phones at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World. The charging stations are currently available for use in Tomorrowland.

With the increased use of smartphones and families using the My Disney Experience app while in the parks to check wait times and make Fastpass+ selections, this is a welcome addition to the park.  A limited number of secure lockers are located inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (near the Fantasyland entrance) and the Tomorrowland Light & Power Company (Space Mountain shop, near the D-Tech offerings).

Here’s how it works:

• The Guest must swipe a credit card to begin. This is a free service, and the Guest’s credit card will not be charged.
• The credit card simply acts as a key to unlock the charging chamber.
• The Guest follows the prompts on a touch screen to choose their mobile phone type. This service is available for a variety of devices, including Android, iPhone and Blackberry.
• The Guest connects their mobile phone and closes the chamber door. A red light indicates that the phone is charging. When the battery is nearing full charge, the chamber light turns green.
• The Guest swipes the same credit card to unlock the chamber door and retrieve their phone.
• Only one device may be connected within a chamber at any given time.
• The charging chambers cannot accommodate electronic devices larger than a phone – A tablet will not fit!
• Empty chambers glow with a blue light.

This service is a test and will continue through mid summer. We are hoping that more charging stations will be added so guests can leave their phone while enjoying an attraction and easily retrieve their charged phone later. Check it out during your next visit to the Magic Kingdom!

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.

Disney Wonder Sails California Coastline

The Disney Wonder will head to the California Coast for some fantastic voyages exploring all of the splendor California has to offer.  You can choose from 2, 3, 4, and 5 night cruises out of San Diego, Los Angeles or Vancouver, Canada.  Ports of Call include San Francisco, San Diego, Ensenada, Mexico, and Victoria, Canada.  Each port offers tons of fun excursions. Go wildlife sighting on a Catamaran, go on a horse drawn carriage ride, or go on a fire engine tour.  Visit a winery, the Walt Disney Family Museum, Alcatraz, Sausalito Village, Butchart Gardens, or the Craigdarroch Castle. With so many exciting things to do and see you are bound to have an unforgettable journey cruising the California Coast.  Here are the current cruise offerings for the California Coast:

2-Night Weekend Getaway Cruise– Enjoy everything the Disney Wonder has to offer on this 2 night cruise to nowhere out of San Diego on May 17, 2014 and May 15, 2015.

3-Night Getaway Cruise– This cruise departs from San Diego on May 17, 2015 with a port of call in Ensenada, Mexico.

4-Night Vancouver to San Diego Cruise– Sail from Vancouver to San Diego and enjoy a stop in Victoria, Canada during your voyage on September 8, 2014.

5-Night San Diego to Vancouver Cruise– Depart from San Diego and travel to Vancouver with a stop in San Francisco along the way. Travel dates include May 19, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

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.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Opening Date – May 28, 2014

This morning, May 2, a short dedication ceremony was held for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction at Magic Kingdom.  Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs announced that the “crowning jewel” of New Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opening date will officially be May 28.

All of The Seven Dwarfs and Snow White were on hand to commemorate the special occasion. Staggs spoke about the family-style coaster, explaining that it features an innovative new ride system that allows cars to swing back and forth as they travel down the track. The cars are even designed to reflect similar vehicles that appear in the film, handmade of wood by the Dwarfs, shaped by an axe, and used to haul rocks and jewels.

Fittingly, a special golden axe was used jointly by Dopey and Snow White on special rock that triggered special effects including the lighting and twinkling of “diamonds” within the rock and a launch of some diamond shaped confetti!

There ceremony was short, but sweet and we enjoyed attending! For those who could not attend in person, the Disney Parks Blog had broadcast the event live online! If you missed that, you can see our video below.

Here are some facts about the Mine Train Ride:

• Height Requirement: 38 inches
• Fastpass+ is available
• Queue has an interactive game
• Each mine car swings independently
• Most advanced and charming Audio-Animatronics Disney has ever created
• Music from the film classic incorporated
• Scenes include Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and playful forest critters

According to Imagineer Dave Minichiello on the Disney Parks Blog: “The Mine Train is developed as a family attraction, so the majority of the family should be able to ride. The height restriction is 38 inches.” Dave also said, “It’s thrilling but it also combines the best of our classic dark rides. You go both interior and exterior in this attraction. There are some classic Disney dark ride scenes.”

See ya at the Magic Kingdom on May 28th!

On May 1, 1989, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (known then as Disney-MGM Studios — a name that would be changed in 2008) became the third Disney theme park to open at Walt Disney World Resort. On May 1, 2014, we celebrated Disney’s Hollywood Studios 25th anniversary in several ways:

• Special Anniversary Maps and Pins were given to all guests in attendance.

• At 10 a.m., Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and friends took the stage with Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vice President Dan Cockerell to start the celebration day, honoring some of the 25-year cast members during a short re-dedication ceremony. During this ceremony, a lucky opening day guest had the opportunity to share her memories of opening day as well as place her hands in cement alongside Cockerell, Mickey and others, to create a commemorative anniversary plaque. The plaque will be stored backstage for Cast Members to enjoy and remember this day.

• A special motorcade — “Stars of the Studios” — made its way down Hollywood Blvd. at 7 p.m.. It feature many of the famous characters showcased throughout the park. Mickey and Minnie were joined by television and film stars including Captain Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Indiana Jones and many more.

• Following the motorcade, the area in front of the park’s Sorcerer Hat Stage became a dance party before a fireworks show ends the day in grand fashion at 9:30 p.m. The pyrotechnics show, which was high in the sky above the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, paid tribute to 25 years of show business stories that have been told throughout the park.

Also, 25th anniversary commemorative merchandise was available. Since anniversary merchandise is known to sell out at these special events, the line was very long early in the morning. The pictured line was only about a 40 min wait. We had heard shortly after opening that the line was up to 2 hours!

And finally, a taste-tempting treat — a 25th Anniversary Chocolate Hazelnut Buttercream Cupcake — was sold at many of the park’s quick service dining locations during the day. It was delicious!

Overall, it was a great day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 25th Anniversary Celebration! We were glad to be there to celebrate. Have you ever attended a theme park anniversary celebration? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!

Disney is the place where dreams come true.  Let your little girl enjoy being a princess on a Disney Cruise.  Let’s explore some of the most popular royal experiences you will find on a Disney Cruise.

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique– Start your princess experience in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  Watch your little girl transform before your eyes as her fairy godmother in training turns her into a Disney Princess.  The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has everything you need for a princess makeover including gowns, crowns, shoes/slippers, makeup, nail polish, and lots of pixie dust.
• Princess Royal Gathering– Now that you look the part you can attend a princess gathering.  There is at least one princess gathering on every cruise.  Four Disney princesses gather in the atrium for a picture meet and greet.
• Royal Court Royal Tea– Join Cinderella in the Royal Court Restaurant for the most magical tea party at sea.  During this fairytale experience your princess will be given the royal treatment while enjoying great food, singing, and dancing with popular Disney princesses.

In addition to these fairy-tale experiences, there are numerous character meet and greet opportunities with your favorite Disney princesses.  The lines are much shorter than the theme park so you have the opportunity to get photos and autographs with all of the princesses onboard during your cruise.  With all of these royal experiences, your little princess will have the vacation of a lifetime on a Disney Cruise.

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 Tree of Life is located on Discovery Island, the park hub of the Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World.  The park opened on April 22, 1998 – Earth Day. The Tree of Life is a sight to behold that serves as a towering icon for the park and can be seen from miles around.

This unique, majestic tree is 145 feet tall and 50 feet wide at the base.  When viewed from afar, it looks like a regular tree but as you approach it, you can see the animals that are intricately sculpted into it.  An oil rig was used as the skeleton for the trunk because it is capable of holding the weight of the massive structure and can stand up to hurricane weather.

A team of Disney Imagineers and international artisans worked full-time for 18 months to create the detailed animal carvings in the trunk and roots of the tree. There are over 300 animals including:

• Lion
• Deer
• Monkey
• Pelican
• Rhinoceros
• Hippopotamus
• Bear
• Eagle
• Tortoise
• Scorpion
• Dolphin

You can take a walk through the Discovery Island Trails that encircle the tree if you would like to have a close-up view of the animal carvings. On these paths, you will also enjoy other live animals including flamingos, tortoises and kangaroos in a peaceful setting.

The Tree of Life is topped with almost 103,000 transparent leaves in five shades of green that actually blow in the wind! A theatre is located inside the root system. It features a slightly-scary, super-funny 3-D attraction called It’s Tough to be a Bug! featuring Flik and Hopper from the Disney Pixar film A Bug’s Life. It’s an appropriate attraction for the Tree of Life, providing a humorous view of life in the animal kingdom.

Take time to enjoy the details on the Tree of Life during your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  You might even see a hidden Mickey!

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.

New VIP Experience Available for 2014 Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World® Resort

Feel The Force Premium Package

In March, we told you about two new Star Wars character dining experiences will be introduced to coincide with Star Wars Weekends. Today, we want to share some exciting news about a new VIP experience that is now available for booking during Star Wars Weekends (every Friday-Saturday-Sunday, May 16 through June 15, 2014).

This new experience, called Feel The Force Premium Package provides Guests with reserved VIP viewing for two of the most popular Star Wars Weekends event spectaculars:

• the daytime Legends of the Force Celebrity Motorcade
• the nighttime Symphony in the Stars fireworks show.

In addition to premium viewing  soft drinks, water and snacks will be served for the motorcade and a dessert party will accompany the fireworks show.

Guests will also receive a souvenir digital photo card that captures images of the Star Wars characters and events from that day as well as a series of complimentary Star Wars photos.

Price: adults $54, children $32 (per day, tax and gratuity included). Discounts do not apply.

Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade

Each day of Star Wars Weekends, a motorcade featuring several of favorite Star Wars characters and celebrities makes it’s way from the front of the park all the way to the Star Wars Weekends Event Stage—concluding with a grand celebrity welcome. This even draws many, many guests hoping to catch a glimpse or photo with the real-life stars of the saga. In previous years, celebrities featured were Jake Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker), David Prowse (Darth Vader), Kenny Baker (R2D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C3PO) among others. Though the complete list has not yet been announced (correction: the list was just announced) for 2014, it has been declared that Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) will make his first ever appearance June 6-8! You can be the crowds will be intense during Hamill’s appearance, so the premium package is a great opportunity for a VIP experience to avoid the masses.

It’s often very hot and humid if June at the Walt Disney World Resort, so having some space around you as well as soft drinks and water in the VIP parade viewing area will surely be a welcome relief!

The afternoon experience is from 11am – 12pm, with motorcade occurring at 11:30am. Guests will meet with a Greeter located at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner starting at 10:30am.  Greeter will be available until noon to accept check-ins.  Guests will receive a wristband upon check-in that will also allow entry in the evening dessert party.

Symphony in the Stars

New this year, each evening during Star Wars Weekends, guests will experience an incredible nighttime spectacular in the sky above Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The finale celebration will feature Star Wars characters and a frenzy of fireworks, complete with Glow with the Show effects. Symphony in the Stars debuted in 2013 during a Limited Time Magic celebration on “Star Wars Day,” May the 4th. The show was incredibly popular and drew some of the largest crowds ever seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While the crowds are not likely to be quite so significant due to the fact the presentation will appear on all three nights each weekend, it’s still likely to be very busy. In order to perform these shows in a manner that favors guest safety, several areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios are closed off due to falling debris from the show. This forces guests to the front of the park and creates a crowded atmosphere.

Symphony in the Stars fireworks dessert party takes place from 9:00 PM to 10:00pm with the firework shows beginning at approximately 9:30pm. If Guests missed the afternoon check-in time, check-in for the dessert party will start at 8:30pm at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner.

Beverages include soda, water, tea and coffee. The fireworks dessert party includes a specialty beverage with an alcoholic option. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

Again, the ability to experience the show from a reserved VIP area and to experience fantastic desserts and beverages at the same time are excellent perks for guests taking advantage of this package!

Here’s our video from last year’s Symphony in the Sky

To make a reservation for the Feel The Force Premium Package, you can call (407) WDW-DINE from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time or contact your travel agent for assistance.