Mission: SPACE is a motion simulator ride at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World.  This attraction is very popular, especially with teens and young adults.  Riders must be 44 inches tall. It’s the next best thing to space travel without leaving planet Earth. Be sure to visit early in the day or use a FastPass to avoid a wait.  If you have ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut, this ride is for you!  It accurately depicts what astronauts experience on a trip to Mars.

As you enter the building, you’re given a choice and issued a ticket:  Green Team or Orange Team.  The Orange Team is more intense and includes spinning and tilting.  The Green Team gives you a less intense adventure, and not likely to give you motion sickness but still offers quite a thrill.

In the pre-show,  actor Gary Sinise prepares you for your mission to Mars on the X-2 Deep Space Shuttle at the International Space Training Center.  You’ll be broken into groups of 4 for flight training and given a role, Navigator, Engineer, Pilot and Commander.  During the flight, each person is responsible for initiating duties to accomplish the Mission.  There are plenty of opportunities to opt out if you don’t feel ready for the flight.

Once you board the 4 person capsule and lower the harness, be prepared to blast off!  There’s a screen that shows a very realistic film of the journey.  The 4 minute ride really makes you feel like you’re part of the actual NASA crew!  You’ll be subjected to intense, sustained G-forces as the “rocket” takes you to the Red Planet.  The mission includes some surprising situations that add to the excitement of your flight.

When your trip to Mars is finished (and you catch your breath!), be sure to stop at the Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab for some post ride fun. It’s a great waiting area for non-riders featuring a place for little ones to enjoy a space themed play area.  There’s also a great gift shop, some fun games and a place to email free video Postcards from Space.

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.

Ready for some holiday cheer?  Very MerryTime Cruises on Disney Cruise Line is coming your way!!  Sailings departing November 9 to December 31, 2013 will all get to experience the holly jolly good time of Disney’s Very MerryTime Cruises. The holiday decorations are going to be magnificent. Disney plans to deck the halls with lots of twinkling light, a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, and poinsettias.  Not impressed?  Well, there will also be life size gingerbread house onboard! I can just smell it now….

There will be lots of holiday themed entertainment on the Very MerryTime Cruises. Let’s start with the Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party.  This celebration will include candy-cane limbo, dancing, and games.   Families can enjoy a meet and greet where they can take lots of pictures with Santa Claus and his elves.  Kids can help light the tree to kick off the holiday merriment during King Triton’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. Many of your favorite Disney characters will be dressed in special holiday attire for pictures.  Guests will also be able to make a gingerbread house, decorate stockings, make holiday cards, or go on a holiday scavenger hunt.  There will be Holiday storytelling about holidays at sea and around the world.  Cruises on December 24 and 25 will have even more holiday additions such as caroling with the kids and crew.   This is the first time Disney has had Very MerryTime Cruises so make your reservations today as these cruises are sure to fill up fast!

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.

The Royal Guest rooms are located in the beautiful Magnolia Bend section of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.  The 512 story themed rooms debuted in March, 2012 and are designed around the story of Princess Tiana from ”The Princess and the Frog” which was set in New Orleans.  How fitting!

As the story goes, Princess Tiana invited some of her royal friends for a little vacation getaway. Each of the guests left behind cherished mementos to mark their visit.  In these special rooms you’ll find items from classic Disney films like “Aladdin”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Cinderella”.

The popular rooms are ornately decorated in majestic colors of gold and royal blue with crystal accents and rich, dark wood in a lavish design.  Princes and Princesses are greeted with a personal note from Princess Tiana, welcoming you to her room.  In true Disney style, themed details make the room unique with items such as:

• The bathroom faucet is in the shape of Genie’s lamp from Aladdin
• The shower curtain has snarfblatts and dinglehoppers from The Little Mermaid
• The luggage rack is in the shape of Sultan from Beauty and the Beast
• The wall border features a variety of Disney Princesses

Along the walls are pictures of Princesses that were “gifts” to Tiana from her friends.  It’s interesting to note that the backdrops in all of the art are of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.  Drapes and bedspreads on the queen-sized beds are intricately decorated and luxurious as well.  The huge headboard is the “crowning jewel” of the room!  When you turn it on, you’ll see a night image of the Louisiana bayou with a very cool “magical fireworks” show made with fiber- optic lights.  Little ones will be entertained for hours!  Of course, the room has a few “Hidden Mickey’s” mixed in too!

Princes and princesses of all ages will enjoy these luxurious Royal Rooms with a variety of gorgeous views at Port Orleans Riverside Resort at Walt Disney World.

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 you finish your day at Universal Studios Orlando why not make it an evening to remember with the wonderful cuisine and unforgettable movie moments of Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular Dining Experience.

You will begin by enjoying a delicious meal at Lombard’s Seafood Grille. Choose from an array of entrees including fresh seafood, pasta, steaks and more. Later, dig into a decadent dessert buffet while you enjoy an exclusive viewing area for Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular– 100 Years of Movie Memories. It’s the perfect finale to a day full of thrills and excitement. See Menu:cinematic_menu. I personally enjoyed the Chicken and Sweet Potato Risotto, it was wonderful.

They begin taking reservations at 4 pm, the price is adults $44.99 and children $12.99; tax and gratuity are included.

Theme park admission is required. This is a separately ticketed event. Not available on certain nights.

After reserving and purchasing your dining experience online, you must call 407-224-7554 (EST 7:30am–10pm Mon-Sat; 7:30am–9pm Sun) up to 24 hours before arriving to confirm your table.

 

You will love this Magical ending to your perfect day at Universal Studios, I know I certainly did.

Written by “Vacation Wizard”–Jennifer Greene a Universal Parks and Resorts Specialist with Destinations in Florida Travel. Contact her today at jenniferg@destinationsinflorida.com or 443-424-0181 to plan your next Adventure to Universal Orlando Resort.

Cruising on the Disney Dream this fall just got even better! Halloween on the High Seas is a new event that will be held on the Disney Dream for cruises departing September 22 through October 31 (excluding the DVC member cruise).  There will be tons of decorations onboard including an evolving Halloween Tree.  Here are some of the event highlights:

• Mickey’s Calling All the Monsters Mouse-Querade Deck Party
• Trick or treating on deck during the deck party
• Mask Making
• Halloween Movie Marathon
• Pumpkin Carving
• A Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream Interactive Movie Experience
• Meet and greet with Jack Skellington and Sally
• Haunted Stories of the Sea and other storytelling experiences
• Kids Costume Parade and Adult Costume Contest
• Ghost and Zombie musician performances in the adult entertainment district
• Disney Villain Takeover of the ship’s announcements

Make sure you pack your costumes and join in on the fun of Halloween on the High Seas!!

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.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover at Magic Kingdom

Embark on a 10-minute tour of Tomorrowland aboard this emission-free mass transit system of the future via the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover at Magic Kingdom.

Take off from Rockettower Plaza for an elevated ride into the world of tomorrow. Ascend a conveyor belt to an open-air loading dock and board a moving tram for a leisurely outdoor and indoor voyage through Tomorrowland. Here’s a short video of the view on the  Peoplemover at Magic Kingdom:

The Tour
During your breezy, narrated 10-minute tour, go behind the scenes of some of Tomorrowland’s most popular attractions, including:

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, home to a galactic battle between Buzz Lightyear and Emperor Zurg
• Space Mountain, where the darkest regions of space and time collide on a rip-roaring rocket ride
• Mickey’s Star Traders retail shop, offering a supernova of one-of-a-kind, Disney space collectibles
• Early architectural models of Epcot theme park and Space Mountain

The attraction—originally called the WEDWay PeopleMover—opened on July 1, 1975 and was based on the PeopleMover at Disneyland park.

An Environmentally-Safe “Attraction”
With no engine, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover uses emission-free linear induction motors. This means the tram accelerates magnetically, so it’s safer for environment than a standard engine.

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

Canada Pavilion at Epcot

The Canada Pavilion is designed to remind guests of the Canadian outdoors. It includes a canyon, a waterfall, gardens, a pool with fountains, and totem poles. The main attraction is O Canada!, a Circle-Vision 360° movie of Canada’s cities, scenery and people. The pavilion also includes Le Cellier Steakhouse and the semi-permanent home of the Celtic rock band Off Kilter.

Here’s a short video of the Canada Pavilion at Epcot:

O Canada! is a Circle-Vision 360° movie of Canada’s cities and scenery. It’s hosted by Canadian comedian, Martin Short and is a great film.

Le Cellier Steakhouse provides sit down restaurant service. The interior is to give the impression of a wine cellar as its name suggests. Food offerings include seafood and steaks, along with popular Canadian wines and beer. It is located in the main building of the pavilion, Hotel du Canada modeled after the Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa. The building is presented (with the aid of forced perspective) to look as if it is six stories in height, but is really three. The restaurant was originally a cafeteria-style dining hall. It actually is a cellar, located underneath the chateau; it was designed to appear as a wine cellar, with simulated stone arches and dark ambient lighting.

Northwest Mercantile sells wilderness themed Christmas ornaments, NHL jerseys and accessories for Canada’s seven teams, a variety of animal plush, maple syrup, and a selection of Canadian wines and ice wines. It is located in the trading post building, which is designed to look like a traditional West coast native longhouse.
The Wood Cart (located on the promenade) sells a variety of wine-themed merchandise, animal plush, flags and other assorted goods. The Cart also features an engraving stand, where guests can have their names engraved onto genuine leather bracelets, cuffs, cell phone strap charms, and Disney character key chains.

Off Kilter is a Celtic rock band which debuted at the Canada pavilion July 1, 1997.[2] It plays in the pavilion throughout the week

The pavilion has three native totem poles, up to 30′ (9 metres) in height. Two are made of fibreglass, and one is carved out of wood. The wooden totem pole depicts three stories of the “Raven” tricking the “Sky Chief” into the release of sun, moon and stars from a chest. It was carved by the Alaskan artist David A. Boxley, and was officially put on display in April 1998.

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

If a magical, yet simple and romantic Disneyland proposal is what you are planning, you may want to consider these romantic proposal ideas during your Disneyland Resort vacation:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpojZ0COU3Y?feature=player_detailpage]

Music to Their Ears

Ask one of Disney’s entertainers to perform your special someone’s favorite song before you ask the question of a lifetime. Whether you want the pianist at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Billy Hill & The Hillbillies in Frontierland or the Dapper Dan barbershop quartet on Main Street, U.S.A., your special proposal is sure to exactly what she’s been dreaming of.

The Stage is Set

The Disneyland Resort offers numerous picturesque backdrops to complete your perfect proposal.

• The Brisa Courtyard at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is a forested oasis just steps from the Downtown Disney District with the iconic Monorail passing overhead.
• The Disneyland Hotel offers a romantic setting to pop the question including the Rose Court Garden, which is also a popular spot for Disney Fairytale weddings.
• The center of the Disneyland Park, Sleeping Beauty Castle
• Main Street, U.S.A.
• The New Orleans Square staircases between the Blue Bayou Restaurant and the New Orleans Square Railroad Station

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.

Toy Story Mania is located in Pixar Place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The 5 ½ minute attraction featuring characters from the beloved films opened on May 31, 2008 and quickly became wildly popular with all ages.  It’s good idea to head there first thing in the morning or use a Fast Pass if you want to avoid a wait!
As you enter the queue, you will find yourself in a sea of large nostalgic toys including Chutes & Ladders, Scrabble, Crayola crayons, Viewmaster reels, Barrel of Monkeys and Tinkertoys. The waiting area is almost an attraction in itself as you’re entertained by a giant audio-animatronic Mr. Potato Head that tells jokes and interacts with guests. Before boarding the ride, you will pick up a pair of 3-D glasses.
The ride vehicle is designed for 4 people in pairs but small children may ride with you. The vehicle is designed so 2 people are on each side, back to back. Customized cars are available for riders with special needs. The spring-action shooter shaped like a toy cannon has a string that you pull to shoot the targets in the game. The object is to hit as many targets as possible as you compete with friends for the highest points. Your carnival ride tram travels on a track through carnival midway games and spins as you travel between games.
There are five 30 second games that follow a practice round:
• Hamm & Eggs – egg throw game
• Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts – dart throw game
• Green Army Men Shoot Camp – baseball throw / plate breaking game
• Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers – ring toss game
• Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery – suction cup shooting game
At the very end, there is a bonus game, Woody’s Bonus Roundup. You shoot at targets on rolling mine cars. A final target pops up and you shoot your cannon as quickly as possible to score mega points! The scores are displayed at the end showing the winner.
Make sure your family gets to experience Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on your next Disney Vacation. It will surely be a highlight in your Disney day!

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.

 

 

 

Finding Nemo Ride Video

Frolic with a colorful cast of undersea characters in this attraction based on Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo. Take a look at our Finding Nemo Ride Video right here:

Can You Find Nemo?
The ever-elusive clownfish is missing again, but is he really lost or just playfully hiding? Help Marlin and Dory find him!

Board a “clamobile” and descend below the waves into a “Big Blue World” where Nemo and his friends flit through brightly colored coral reefs and gently swaying sea anemones. Swim with Mr. Ray and his school and see ultra-cool, ultraviolet “jellies.”

Dodge underwater mines, a toothy angler fish and an even toothier Bruce the shark as he lurks in the rusted hull of a sunken ship. Then catch a ride on the righteous EAC (East Australian Current) with sea turtle Crush and his little dude Squirt, and watch it barrel over you. Awesome!

Let’s Name the Zones of the Open Sea!
The fun isn’t over yet: Get ready for some real fish—and sea-life lessons that would make Mr. Ray proud.

Your underwater adventure climaxes when the Finding Nemo characters join real, live sea creatures in the massive 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium they call home.

Afterward, mingle with even more marine life at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at your leisure. Walk all the way around the aquarium and see some of the real-life counterparts of the characters from the film. You’ll also find “fins-on” activities teaching little ones about marine biology, shark safety and more.

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