Disney’s Believe is the signature show on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.  Disney’s Believe starts out in the garden of Dr. Cornelius Greenaway.  Dr. Greenaway is a brilliant botanist who is expecting a visit from the Journal of Horticulture to examine his new plant. Dr. Greenaway is so preoccupied that he barely acknowledges his daughter, Sophia’s birthday. Sophia makes a birthday wish that her father believe in magic.  Since we are living in the world of Disney, Genie from Disney’s Aladdin appears to make her wish come true.  Genie takes Dr. Greenaway through the adventure of a lifetime to help him believe in magic.  Genie gets help from Baloo, Rafiki, Mary Poppins, Princess Tiana, Peter Pan, Pocahontas and many more.   With a little help from your favorite Disney characters, Dr. Greenaway realizes that nothing is more important than his daughter and Sophia’s wish comes true.  Dr. Greenaway asks Genie to help him surprise Sophia with the best birthday party ever.  There were several teary eyed adults in the audience.  Disney’s Believe is the best show I’ve seen on Disney Cruise Line.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over eight 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.

Private surfing lessons on Bondi Beach, treetop zip lines over Tasmania, sea kayaking, and a catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Ever meet a Tasmanian Devil?  At Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, you will! These are just a few of the experiences that await you on your Adventures By Disney vacation to Australia.  This 12 night/11 day vacation has something for every member for your family, it will definitely be a vacation to remember!

With the Adventures by Disney Australia itinerary, your family can take a hop “down under” and explore the traditional culture and modern life of this fascinating country. From the stunning Sydney Opera House to the sacred Ayers Rock in the famed outback, this Adventures by Disney departure offers the best of both worlds.  Watch this video to see more of what your family will be experiencing in Australia.

Contact Diana today at diana@destinationsinflorida.com for more information and to book your next vacation to Australia with Adventures By Disney.

Written by Diana Edgar — Diana is an Adventures by Disney Expert on United States trips and around the world.  Are you ready for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation?  Diana is ready to help you plan your magical Disney vacation. Book your next vacation with Diana at diana@destinationsinflorida.com.

The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios must be the most unique dining spot in all of Walt Disney World.  It’s located right at the end of Commissary Lane. The restaurant theme is a drive-in movie theater (with air conditioning!).  Guests are seated inside a colorful 50’s style convertible or table with old style Sci-Fi movie clips playing on a giant movie screen.

As you enter the restaurant, you will notice that the lighting is dim, just like the drive-in. The ceiling sparkles with fiber-optic twinkling stars.  There’s vintage memorabilia, movie posters and even a concession stand (kitchen entrance)!  The friendly wait staff “plays it up” a little with funny little quotes and antics. The giant movie screen shows 50’s & 60’s sci-fi flick, B-horror movie clips, cartoons and newsreels including trailers from classics like Attack of the Fifty-Foot Woman, Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster and Teenagers from Outer Space.  The movies aren’t too scary and are actually silly.  Sound is piped in through old-fashioned metal speakers like the ones in a real drive in theater. While this restaurant is perfect for older kids and teens, younger children may not enjoy the dark atmosphere.

Menu offerings are classic American, such as burgers, ribs, chicken, pasta, salads, steaks and sandwiches.  You must leave room for dessert!  The milkshakes are some of the best on Disney property!

Be sure to make a reservation for The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant during your next Disney World vacation. It’s a fun place to see movies and eat in your car!

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 offers 3, 4, 5, and 7 night cruises to the Bahamas.  Guests can visit Key West, Nassau, or Castaway Cay on their Bahamian adventure.  Here are some of the most popular excursions in Nassau:

• Discover Atlantis- Dolphin Cay, casino gaming, water park, golf, snuba, stingray adventures and more await you on this popular excursion.  There is so much to see and do at Atlantis. If you want an adventure you take the plunge down a 120 foot power slide.  For those that want a more relaxing trip you can take a stroll around the marine exhibit and view over 50,000 aquatic animals.

•  Graycliff Hotel Wine Luncheon- This excursion is tailor made for all the foodies out there.  Experience 5-star dining and savor the flavor of some of the best wines from around the globe, paired with a seasonal 4-course luncheon.
• Blue Lagoon Island Sea Lion Encounter– Sea Lions are waiting to meet your family at Blue Lagoon Island.  Blue Lagoon Island is owned and operated by a local family who strive to make sure your encounter will be safe, educational, fun and authentically Bahamian.
• Nassau Harbor Cruise- Take a seaside cruise to some of the most stunning sights of the Bahamas — all on a private catamaran!

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over eight 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.

Disney helps makes dreams come true every day. Why not begin your happily ever after with one of these top ten Disney proposal ideas?

• Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival- This annual event brings topiaries and fresh flowers to the park. You can pop the question in front of her favorite character’s topiary.
• World Showcase- There are eleven countries around the World Showcase. You can choose the perfect backdrop for your proposal from the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the Eiffel Tower.
• California Grill- This restaurant sits on top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and offers stunning views of Cinderella Castle and the nightly Wishes fireworks. Plus, California Grill can even have your ring served on an engraved glass slipper on a “Will You Marry Me” platter.
• The Hollywood Brown Derby- This classy, Hollywood-inspired restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is perfect for movie fans. Plus, you can have a special dessert prepared with the ring sitting on top.
• Victoria & Albert’s- This award-winning restaurant can be found at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This elegant restaurant offers a harpist, sparkling crystal, and a romantic atmosphere. Plus, here you can have the ring placed inside of a red rose and served on a  silver tray.
• Characters in Flight- You’ll take her breath away when you pop the question in a giant balloon 400 feet above Downtown Disney.
• Cinderella’s Royal Table- The iconic Cinderella Castle is home to a beautiful restaurant on the second floor with stained glass windows. There are numerous special surprises you can include for your sweetheart when you pop the questions here.
• Sunrise Safari- You can enjoy an early morning on Kilimanjaro Safari and a breakfast buffet. There’s plenty of time to capture the moment surrounded by the wildlife.
• Coral Reef Restaurant- You can dine in front of The Living Seas coral reef here and have divers assist with your proposal, completed by a champagne toast.
• Private Yacht Experience- All her dreams can come true on board theGrand 1 Yacht, the most luxurious watercraft at Walt Disney World Resort. You can enjoy a VIP boating experience on the waters of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake just outside Magic Kingdom. Then, enjoy dessert as the night sky comes alive with Wishes Nighttime Spectacular.

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 of all ages will have great family fun while flying high over Agrabah on The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland at Walt Disney World. This attraction, based on the 1992 Disney film, Aladdin, is a magical ride on an enchanted carpet that is controlled by the riders.

The ride is quite similar to the Dumbo attraction in New Fantasyland and lasts about 90 seconds. It’s an aerial carousel featuring a “hub”- a huge Genie lamp and “spokes”- the 16 colorful, enchanted carpets that hold 4 passengers each. If you sit in the front row, you can select how high or low you fly by moving a lever up or down. If you’re sitting in the back row, you can press a magic scarab that will tilt your flying carpet forward or backward.

The queue area looks authentic with Arabian architecture including Terra Cotta tiles and distressed concrete. Look at the walkway for a hidden Mickey in the embedded “jewels”!

To add to the fun, there’s a water-spewing camel that “spits” intermittently at the carpets as they soar over Adventureland! At the entrance of the ride, there is another camel that “spits” on people as they walk by. It’s quite entertaining to watch the surprised victims get doused!

Check the Times Guide for characters from Aladdin. It’s likely you’ll spot Jasmine or Aladdin in the area for meet & greets.

While this is not a “must do” attraction at the Magic Kingdom, small children and young families will certainly enjoy it.  It’s a great alternative for those that don’t wish to climb in the nearby Swiss Family Treehouse. Enjoy a magic carpet ride on The Magic Carpets of Aladdin during your next 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.

As soon as you complete your first Disney Cruise, you become a member of the Castaway Club. Membership is free and comes with lots of perks and privileges.  All you have to do is go to the Disney Cruise Line website after your first cruise and then you can login to view all of your benefits. The website has lots of great information, fun downloads, and the Castaway Compass newsletter.  Castaway Club benefits are based on the number of cruises you have completed. After your first cruise you become a Silver Castaway member.  As a Silver Castaway you are able to take advantage of advanced booking for shore excursions, child care, fine dining, and spa reservations.  There is a dedicated Castaway Club toll free number for members to ask questions and make reservations.  When you arrive at the port, Castaway members have their own check in line which is usually gets you on the ship a little faster than the regular line.  You will receive a free lanyard and special Key to the World card at check in. Then when you get to your room there will be a Welcome Back stateroom gift sitting on your bed.  After five cruises you are a Gold Castaway Member.  As a Gold Castaway you will receive all of the benefits of the Silver Castaway as well as early booking opportunities for new itineraries, an invitation to an onboard Castaway Club reception, and special onboard shopping opportunities.  After completing ten cruises you become a Platinum Castaway Member.  Platinum Castaway members also receive a complimentary dinner at Palo and priority check in at the cruise terminal.

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over eight 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.

Many of today’s most famous pop icons and entertainers got their start in Orlando’s entertainment industry. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake all first earned their ears on Disney Channel’s “The New Mickey Mouse Club,” filmed on location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Boy bands N’SYNC, “O-Town“, and the Backstreet Boys started in Orlando. Former N’SYNC members Joey Fatone and JC Chasez used to work at Universal Orlando Resort.

Written by Stacy Gaffney, “Sorcerer Stacy” — Stacy is an expert in planning an affordable Disney and Orlando vacation. Watch out for the magic, as Sorcerer Stacy plans your vacation! Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Stacy at 877-918-8941 or stacygaffney@destinationsinflorida.com.

Disney’s Magical Express is a fantastic service offered to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. It conveniently transports you and your luggage from the Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort hotel stress-free and free of charge!

To use the service you need to provide Disney with the details of your flights or have your friendly travel agent do it for you. You will be mailed an information booklet, special luggage tags and transportation vouchers. Prior to your magical vacation, place the tags on your bags.

Once you arrive at your home airport, check your luggage at the desk. The special tags will indicate to the baggage handlers that you’re using the Magical Express. Your luggage will be magically transported to your Disney Resort Hotel. They will arrive about 3-4 hours after check in. You won’t have to worry about baggage claim or lugging them around when you get to Orlando!  They will be transported separately so you won’t even see them until they are delivered to your room. There’s no need to wait around either… Go out and enjoy the parks!  They will place the luggage in your room if you’re not there.

Be sure to pack any essentials and valuable items in your carry-on bags. It’s a good idea to pack a change of clothes, your swimsuit, camera and medication. If you have an early flight and your room is not yet ready you may check your carry-on bags at the Luggage Assistance desk.

When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, take the shuttle to the main terminal. You will be on Level 3. Head over to the Disney’s Magical Express Welcome Center, located on Side B, Level 1, Ground Transportation.  Signs are  posted and friendly employees are there to greet you!

You’ll be notified the day before checkout of your motor coach pickup time. If you’re flying with a participating airline, you can check your luggage and receive your boarding pass at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk at your hotel.

Disney’s Magical Express. What better way to begin and end your magical Walt 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.