I was hesitant to make a dinner reservation for Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.  After all, my husband and I didn’t have any children with us on this trip.  After hearing great reviews, we decided to give it a try.  Besides, the Grand Floridian is such a beautiful resort and is close to the Magic Kingdom where we planned to be that day.

We were pleasantly surprised!  As we entered the restaurant, there was a beautiful themed mural where you can have a family photo made with a PhotoPass photographer.  The packages can be purchased during dinner.

The restaurant is bright, crisp and clean.  I was delighted by the detail in décor including the adorable carousel horses throughout.  It was the perfect setting for a dinner with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and the wicked stepsisters.

The variety of food offerings on the buffet was impressive. There were many different types of colorful salads.  A huge assortment of items on the buffet included beef, seafood and pasta. The entrees were prepared to represent different “kingdoms” around the world.  A specialty of the house is the Floridian Strawberry Soup.  Cold soup?  Oh, yes!  A must-try—you’ll be addicted! As is fairly common at buffet restaurants at Disney, there was a special section with kid-friendly food.  Desserts were plentiful and delicious.  I noticed the chef was thoughtfully assisting those at a nearby table who had special dietary needs.

Although the food was delicious, our most favorite part of the meal was the interaction with the characters.  As two “old folks”, we never expected to have so much fun at a character dining experience!  Cinderella and Prince Charming visited our table, spoke with us and posed for pictures without a rush.  The ugly stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella were absolutely hilarious!! We laughed until our sides hurt as they insulted each other and made loud, snide comments.  It was all great fun and a dining experience we won’t soon forget.

Consider including a dinner at 1900 Park Fare on your next Walt Disney World vacation.  You’ll be glad you did!

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

Hello All,

Trivia Tink is back ! I hope you enjoyed the holidays, I know I did. Periwinkle made it snow all over Pixie Hollow so we could have a wonderful snowball fight. I hope you are enjoying our new format of  changing up our contests here a Pixie Hollow.  I decided that this week, we would do a trivia surrounding one of my favorite characters, a princess. Which leads us to this week’s question….

 

 

 

Which Disney Princess doesn’t have a song ? (She sings one with someone as a child, but after her teen years there is none)

Think you know the answer? Email the answer to me at ErinBenge@DestinationsinFlorida.com by Sunday, January 12th, 12:00pm Eastern Time. A winner will be chosen at random from all correct responses.  The winner will receive this Princess Decal.

We wanted to thank everyone who participated in our Merry Christmas Giveaway. It was so nice to see where our followers are spending the holidays. We do have a winner for our Pirates of the Caribbean Snow Globe.

Congratulations Kate W. ! Check your email for your confirmation !

Hope you enjoyed our little giveaway this week. Check back for our next weekly giveaway soon.

 

Written by Erin Benge. Erin is an expert in planning Disney & Orlando vacations.  She specializes in traveling with toddlers and multiple generations.  Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Erin at ErinBenge@DestinationsinFlorida.com!

 

 

A Disney World wedding can be expensive, but it can also be only as expensive as you make it. With memories and escape packages available, there truly are affordable ways to enjoy a Disney World wedding. Here are five ways to save on a Disney World wedding:

• Choose your location carefully since not all venues are the same cost. Due to the popularity and beauty of the Wedding Pavilion, this is one of the more expensive options. However, there are other locations along the Seven Seas Lagoon where you can still enjoy the backdrop of Cinderella Castle with a lesser price tag.
• Host a brunch reception or dessert party instead of dinner. Dinner is the most expensive meal for your reception. With a destination wedding, you have the flexibility to have a morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception. Another cost effective option is a dessert party where you can also enjoy a fireworks display.
• Use the natural beauty of your location. Flowers and decor can be a costly addition to decorate your space. With the beautiful spaces available at Disney, you can let the location itself make your big day look great!
• Host your celebration during the week. Another great way to save on a Disney World wedding is to host your celebration on a weekday rather than weekend. Since most of your guests will be traveling anyway, the day of the week should not play a factor in their attendance.
• Use the same floral and decor for your ceremony and reception. The Disney Weddings team can transport the flowers and decor from your ceremony to your reception or dessert party to help save on the decor costs.

Are you planning a Disney World wedding? I’d love to help. We can set up room blocks, discounted rates, and more to help make your big day even more special and memorable and give you even more ways to save on a Disney World wedding! Contact Siera for more information today!

Written by Siera Duiser, “Disney BridalEars” — Siera has grown up loving all things Disney!  She even had her very own Disney Fairytale Wedding in 2011. Now Siera enjoys Disney World with her own family.  Siera specializes in Disney weddings, honeymoons, and traveling with younger children.  Book your next vacation with Siera at siera@destinationsinflorida.com.

This week at Destinations in Florida, we decided to learn a little bit  about you. We want to find out where our followers are spending the holidays. I am enjoying the Christmas season from warm and sunny Texas, what about you?

Everyone who participates will have a chance to win a GREAT prize! We are giving away a Pirates of the Caribbean Snow Globe!

You can get up  to three entries to win to enter using Rafflecopter (link below). A winner will be chosen randomly from all entrants. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

Enter our Rafflecopter giveaway!

Written by Erin Benge. Erin is an expert in planning Disney & Orlando vacations.  She specializes in traveling with toddlers and multiple generations.  Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Erin at ErinBenge@DestinationsinFlorida.com!

A great honeymoon option for couples looking for relaxation while still visiting beautiful islands is a Disney Cruise. Couples who choose to celebrate their new life together on Disney Cruise Line treat themselves to a vacation that is both fun and romantic. Here are five tips for enjoying your Disney Cruise Line Honeymoon:

• Bring a small carry-on to pack any overnight clothes and toiletries you will need for your last night on the ship since your luggage will be conveniently picked up the night before disembarkation
• Plan a special treat or surprise for your sweetie by ordering an in-room gift
• Every day of your cruise is a celebration so order the “Cake of the Day” through the ship’s complimentary room service
• Try something new! Your honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to make new memories and explore the unknown together
• Relax! Your honeymoon should be about relaxing and celebrating together so enjoy some pampering with a couples massage

Are you planning a Disney Cruise Line honeymoon? I’d love to help you make it the honeymoon of your dreams! Contact me today for your free, no obligation quote for your honeymoon.

Written by Siera Duiser, “Disney BridalEars” — Siera has grown up loving all things Disney!  She even had her very own Disney Fairytale Wedding in 2011. Now Siera enjoys Disney World with her own family.  Siera specializes in Disney weddings, honeymoons, and traveling with younger children.  Book your next vacation with Siera at siera@destinationsinflorida.com.

Guests Not Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Will Have Access to Fastpass+ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – No  Paper FASTPASS Tickets During Test

As part of the test-and-adjust process for MyMagic+, a test of Disney FastPass+ service is taking place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as of December 18. This test will allow all Guests (including those not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel) visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom the ability to make up to three FastPass+ selections for the current day at that theme park using FastPass+ kiosks. Disney’s FASTPASS Service (using paper FASTPASS tickets) will not be available throughout the duration of this test at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Guests who are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will continue to engage in MyMagic+ as they have been and have the ability to make three FastPass+ selections in advance or day-of for one park per day, and  will continue to have the ability to select, modify or cancel their FastPass+ selections using My Disney Experience on their mobile devices, at FastPass+ kiosks or at service centers.

The big difference here is that guests who are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will not be able to make advanced Fastpass+ reservations. They will have to visit a kiosk on the day of their visit to make these reservations. They will not use a Magicband either. These Fastpass+ reservations will be stored on and accessed with their plastic, RFID-enabled park ticket.

This is the first sign of paper FASTPASS tickets being phased out at Walt Disney World. Contrary to earlier rumors, Disney is clearing making the service available to guests staying at other resorts and to day guests. At least, that is the case during this test.

What do you think about paper FASTPASS going away? Are you happy that you won’t have to manage multiple little slips of paper anymore? Are you concerned about the new system? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

 

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

The first day of a Disney Cruise is called Embarkation Day. Embarkation Day is so much fun. The buzz in the air in the terminal is so exhilarating and everyone is so excited to start their vacation.  The cruise terminal in Port Canaveral is fantastic.  Disney definitely has the nicest terminal I’ve ever seen.

As soon as you get through security and head up the escalator you start to experience a little Disney magic. There is usually a character waiting for your first photo opportunity.  Lots of guests enjoy taking photos of the model ship.  There are two main lines to check in at the terminal.  One line is for first time cruisers and the other is for Castaway Club members.  There is also a dedicated check in station and lounge for concierge level guests.

The cruise terminal opens at 11am and guests can start boarding around 1pm. After you check in you will be given a boarding group number.  Each boarding group will be called to head through the Mickey entrance to board the ship.  All guests must be onboard by 3:45pm.  The staterooms are not ready until 1:30pm at which time you can drop off your carryon luggage.

In the meantime you can take a ship tour, spa tour, or browse the youth activities spaces. Lunch will be served in several locations. All of the activities and lunch options are listed on your Personal Navigator. If you did not get one at check in, just head to guest services for a copy. There will be a mandatory life boat drill for all guests.  The drill is usually at 4pm and lasts about 15 minutes.  Once the boat drill is over, head up to the pool deck for the Sail Away Celebration.  Mickey, Minnie, and the gang all come to the stage to get the party started.  The best part of embarkation day is the realization that you are on a fabulous vacation!!

For the duration of your cruise there will be no school, work, cooking, or cleaning.  What can be better than that?

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with ten cruises taken on the Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, 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 are traveling to Walt Disney World around the holidays you have probably heard mention of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. It’s a beautiful display set up on the Streets of Americas at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Amid “Snow Flurries”, as only Disney could do it, the backlot comes to life with three-dimensional and motion based displays. Set in time to music the building facades, streets and trees sparkle brightly as millions of twinkling lights dance in show presented by SYLVANIA. The display, including original pieces all the way from Arkansas and it’s creator Jennings Osborne has delighted thousands of people each year.

Osborne originally created the display for his daughter at their Arkansas home, but each it grew larger and brighter. Eventually the -million light display was transporter to Disney-MGM Studios in 1995, where it has continued to grow each year. Some of his original creations still delight visitor, like his flying angels, Santa Claus light design and the purple cat.

Yes, the purple cat. It’s a favorite among repeat visitors and newbies alike. When the Christmas light display was packaged up for shipping a Halloween decoration accidentally got added as well, a light up purple cat. Each year the cast members hide the cat in the light display and visitors try to locate the sneaky feline. It’s a tradition now.

Have you seen the Osborne Lights? Have you located the purple cat? What do you think of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights? Comment below by 12/22 and tell us what you think and you could win this special prize.

Written by Erin Benge. Erin is an expert in planning Disney & Orlando vacations.  She specializes in traveling with toddlers and multiple generations.  Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Erin at ErinBenge@DestinationsinFlorida.com!

Enchanted Tales with Belle is a delightful attraction in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.  It is a fun and interactive experience that appeals to all ages.  This mixture of show and meet-and-greet encounter is based on the 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast.

As you follow the cobblestone pathway through the enchanted forest to Maurice’s Cottage, you will notice the attention to detail that Disney is famous for.  There is memorabilia scattered along the way featuring items from Belle’s childhood such as books, growth charts and items you might imagine her father, Maurice may have made in his workshop.

Upon entering Maurice’s workshop you’ll see a vast assortment of projects that he has been working on.  The attention to detail is amazing! Your eyes will be drawn to the magic mirror on the wall as the room darkens and the mirror begins to twinkle and sparkle.  Incredibly, it soon it transforms into a doorway that you walk through to enter the wardrobe room.  Madame Wardrobe and castmembers will explain how guests can help re-enact the story of Beauty and the Beast for Belle on her birthday.  Parts are chosen and simple props are handed out to volunteers who want to take part.

From this point, everyone walks into the Beast’s library.  Lumiere, the talking candelabra, directs everyone to their place.  Once Belle makes her entrance, the short play begins.  There is an opportunity for photos with Belle for all of the participants and they are given a special bookmark as a memento.  It all ends with the happy song “Be Our Guest”!

Encourage your kids to take part in the show if they want to meet Belle.  Don’t miss Enchanted Tales with Belle on your next visit to Walt Disney World. You will be mesmerized from beginning to end!

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.