Celebrate la dolce vita – the sweet life – at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando®. ??This hotel located at Universal Orlando® Resort. The luxurious hotel re-creates the charm and romance of the famed seaside village of Portofino, Italy, right down to the cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes.

The hotel was inspired by the picturesque Mediterranean seaside resort, located on the Italian Riviera. This hotel is great for a romantic getaway which will give you an idea of sunny days along the Italian Riviera.

This hotel is an AAA Four Diamond Award® hotel where you’ll enjoy superior service and world-class accommodations. The hotel boosts 750 guest rooms, including 45 spacious suites. These rooms’ offers European luxury and elegance with custom designed furnishings and marble accents with attentive service an opulent spa. And of course, each guest room is also equipped with all the latest amenities to combine the best of Portofino Italy’s charm and romance with modern convenience. Loews Portofino has redone its kid’s suites so families can experience the world of Despicable Me. Each kid’s suites have an adjoining entrance for parents and plenty of room for everyone.

Hotel guests will also enjoy three themed swimming pools. The Beach Pool is where families can enjoy their day together. For a more exclusive pool, the Villa Pool has upgraded amenities such as lounge chairs where guests can unwind from a busy day in the parks. The Hillside Pool has more privacy and is much quieter for the guests.??Loews Portofino has nine restaurants and lounges for guests to enjoy great culinary tastes from Italy. Some of the choices are Mama Della’s Ristorante true Italian cuisine to Trattoria del Porto, which offers breakfast and dinner, to pizza.

Barbara Roach is your Personal Travel & Cruise Concierge. I have been organizing travel for years. I know where to find the best deals, what really constitutes “value” and how you can make your vacation dollar stretch, especially when it comes to planning travel with kids.??Regardless of your destination, my goal is to exceed your every expectation and deliver you to a most enchanting vacation. We’re here for you too – just a phone call away; before, during and after your travel.

For information concerning Disney or any other destination, please contact me at 401-323-1294 or email me at barbararoach@destinationsinflorida.com 

The annual Disney culinary tour of flavors from six continents will expand in 2016 with nine extra days of sipping and savoring at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 14-Nov. 14, 2016. The 2016 festival, presented by Chase at Walt Disney World Resort, will grow from 53 to 62 delicious days, add a new interactive culinary experience and debut new marketplace tastes from around the world.

Nine Extra Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Days

Growing in scope each year since 1996 as one of America’s top food festivals, the Epcot event features inspired flavors at more than 30 global marketplaces.

This year, “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops at the Festival Center offer guests a chance to learn a variety of culinary skills from chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros. Nightly Eat to the Beat concerts kick up the energy with new musical acts covering a broad range of musical styles and eras including rock, pop and rhythm and blues. Even more Disney resort festival experiences are planned, with a new brunch, cooking school and other fresh culinary adventures.

For a second year, global marketplaces will extend into Future World to offer a wider range of taste sensations. Culinary icons like Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Masaharu Morimoto, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro and Jamie Deen will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at new and returning premium events that include reimagined Party for the Senses grand tastings with new concepts and themes.

Festival guests can pair wines, beers and ciders with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade using their complimentary festival passports as a guide.

New marketplace menus debut and festival favorites return

Hard soda float, anyone? Guests can choose a favorite hard soda to mix with vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat at Desserts & Champagne marketplace. A savory vegan dish will debut at the Greece marketplace, and the popular Farm Fresh marketplace will showcase Florida’s bounty with new savory dishes.

Multiple new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to play 186 festival concerts, in all

Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun Tonight!) will open the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 14-15. More new acts in the concert series lineup, including Delta Rae and Toad The Wet Sprocket – will rock their chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men and Jeffrey Osbourne, will return to the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.

Celebrity chefs, wine experts and mixologists join the fun

Celebrities ranging from Rock Harper to master sommelier Andrea Robinson will share their food and beverage know-how during demos and premium events. At the new “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” workshops, guests will put expert advice to use whether mixing cocktails, decorating cakes or using herbs to kick up a dish’s flavor.

The popular Festival Private Label California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are back and available by the bottle or by the glass.

Ratatouille returns

Chef Remy of “Ratatouille” returns with his fun-for-the-family culinary scavenger hunt.

Festival Center cooks on all burners

Festival Center highlights will include the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros, book and bottle signings and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli and offering guest samples.

Rest and recharge at the Chase Lounge

Chase debit and credit card members, including Disney Visa card members — will find complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments, a charging station and comfortable seating for a relaxing break at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure.

Plan for a premium adventure:

• Rockin’ Burger Block Party and Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.
• New resort premium events to book will include a Grand Floridian brunch with a twist and a new cooking school experience.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. When a reservation booking date is announced this summer, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at epcotfoodfestival.com. Join the discussion on social media using #epcotfoodfestival.

New Skull Island: Reign of Kong Details Released

When Skull Island: Reign of Kong opens at Universal’s Islands of Adventure this summer, guests will come face-to-face with the legendary King Kong himself. Universal Orlando has recently revealed a first-look at the three-story beast featured in our newest blockbuster attraction.

As you near the finale of your heart-pounding expedition, you’ll be so close to the legendary beast that you can feel his breath sweep across your skin and his thunderous roar reverberate through every bone in your body. 

Until you can encounter Kong yourself, get a look behind the scenes at The Making of Skull Island with Universal Creative’s Mike West.

This newest attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park opens Summer 2016.

Universal’s new Cabana Bay Beach Resort is one of my favorite hotels in Orlando and the best value! Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the most affordable way to stay on property at Universal Orlando Resort, but you won’t sacrifice any of the fun at this 1950’s inspired resort.

As soon as you set foot in the lobby of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, you will feel like you have gone back to a beautiful summer day in the 1950’s. The bright colors are warm and welcoming with a huge palm tree right in the middle! As a guest of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, you will be eligible for one early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as well as continuous complimentary transportation to the theme parks.

You will find both standard rooms and family suites at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The standard rooms can sleep up to four in two queen beds whereas the family suite can sleep up to six with two queen beds and a pullout sofa. Both standard rooms and family suites are available poolside to keep you close to the incredible pools, too.

There are a number of great activities available for families staying at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. You can enjoy bowling, movies, a fitness center, lazy river, pools, sandy play area, campfires, and so much more! Inner tubes are available for purchase, or you can bring your own. You can even have your inner tube inflated and deflated for no charge at the lazy river. There are resort refillable drink mugs available for purchase which can help you save on beverage purchases throughout your stay. Plus, don’t forget to pick up a s’mores kit for the nightly campfire.

I highly recommend you check out Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort during your next Orlando vacation! Your whole family will love it!

Written by Siera Duiser: Siera Duiser is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, 2010, 2011, & 2012 Universal Orlando’s Travel Agency of the Year. She loves helping plan memorable vacations at no cost to you. Contact Siera to book your next vacation at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or 734-771-1290. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Town Center Grand Opening at Disney Springs

Eager with anticipation, guests flocked to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort this morning with the hopes of being among the first to experience its newest retail neighborhood – Town Center.

Opening in phases today and throughout the summer, Town Center will be home to some of the most recognizable names in retail such as Anthropologie, ZARA, LACOSTE and Lucky Brand, as well as some brands that are new to the Central Florida market, such as UNIQLO, Melissa Shoes and UNOde50. Within Town Center, Guests will find exceptional shopping and dining experiences along with breathtaking vistas overlooking The Spring, the heart and soul of the property.

Town Center features Spanish-revival style architecture, drawing from a rich history of explorers that landed in Florida centuries ago, and a promenade where guests can relax, refresh and reconnect with each other. Town Center, like the rest of Disney Springs, is brought to life with the same focus on storytelling and attention to detail that goes into Disney’s theme parks, resorts and cruise ships – resulting in a welcoming space that only Disney could create.

Today, a total of 23 exciting new retail tenants opened their doors in Town Center, including kate spade new york, Tommy Bahama, Under Armour Brand House and Sephora. The following venues are now open:

• ALEX AND ANI
• American Threads
• Edward Beiner
• Everything But Water
• francesca’s
• Johnston & Murphy
• kate spade new york
• Kipling
• L’Occitane en Provence
• Lucky Brand
• MAC Cosmetics
• Melissa Shoes
• Na Hoku
• PANDORA
• Sephora
• Sperry
• Tommy Bahama
• UGG
• Under Armour Brand House
• UNOde50
• Vera Bradley
• Volcom
• ZARA

In addition to these venues, seven new specialty-dining locations are now open at Disney Springs:

• Amorette’s Patisserie
• B. Wolf’s Sausage Co.
• D-Luxe Burger
• Morimoto Asia Street Food
• Sprinkles
• The Daily Poutine
• YeSake

As guests enter Town Center around The Spring area, they will be warmly greeted at the Welcome Center, a new home for Guest Relations at Disney Springs that will offer a wealth of services including theme park and Cirque du Soleil ticket sales, Disney dining and resort reservations, information for guests with disabilities, foreign currency exchanges, and other general assistance items. Themed to early Florida settlements, the architecture around The Spring is based on timber frame structures that were once used in the citrus and ranching industries.

Access to Disney Springs is about to become even easier. Roadway improvements on Buena Vista Drive are nearly complete, with additional car lanes and dedicated bus lanes now operational. Also, now open, the Lime Garage offers Guests convenient parking access to Disney Springs Town Center and the Marketplace. This new garage, similar to the Orange Garage on the West Side, uses smart technology to identify open parking spaces.

MORE OPENINGS COMING SOON

More shops and restaurants will open soon at Disney Springs. By the end of this month, the following venues will open:

• Aristocrepes
• Lilly Pulitzer
• TROPHY ROOM
• STK Orlando

Other locations expected to open in Town Center at Disney Springs this summer include:

• Anthropologie
• Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
• Coca-Cola Store and Rooftop Beverage Bar
• Columbia Sportswear
• Free People
• Frontera Cocina
• Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar
• Johnny Was
• LACOSTE
• Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
• Oakley
• Origins
• Shore
• Sugarboo & Co.
• Superdry
• TUMI
• UNIQLO
• Vince Camuto

JUST ANNOUNCED

The following new brands were announced today as coming to Disney Springs and are expected to open locations in Town Center this summer:

• Origins: A high-performance skincare retailer featuring products formulated with certified organic ingredients and 100 percent natural essential oils. The socially-conscious brand employs earth-friendly practices, including a Plant-A-Tree program.

• Sugarboo & Co.: With products featuring creative and whimsical designs, this family-run business offers artful prints, home goods, paper products, accessories and more.

• Superdry: Focusing on clothing with designs that fuse vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics with a British style, Superdry offers a variety of products ranging from outerwear and knitwear to leather goods and leisurewear.

• TUMI: A leading global brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories.

Nearing completion on the largest expansion in its history, Disney Springs is emerging as an exciting new waterfront district for world-class shopping, unique dining, and high-quality entertainment. Inspired by Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs has four distinct outdoor neighborhoods including The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and the new Town Center.

When completed, Disney Springs will have doubled the number of shops, restaurants and other venues for guests to explore, resulting in more than 150 establishments.

– See more at: http://wdwnews.com/releases/2016/05/15/disney-springs-opens-first-phase-of-town-center/#sthash.xKfEKtZy.dpuf

Mad Hatter Billboard Comes to Life

Johnny Depp, dressed as his iconic character the Mad Hatter, livestreamed onto a billboard in Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA to surprise the Park’s guests.
Watch as unsuspecting guests chat with the celebrity as the Mad Hatter!

Depp stars in Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” an all-new adventure featuring the unforgettable characters from Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories. In the new film, Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.

Guests visiting Disney Parks can watch a preview of scenes from the movie in sneak peeks at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

At Disney California Adventure park, the preview of “Alice Through the Looking Glass” is presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater (formerly Crown Jewel Theater). Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can see an advance look at clips from the film as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction.

What would do if you saw Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter at a Disney Park?

One of the best golden nuggets of information for guests visiting Magic Kingdom is how to beat the heat. It gets hot here in Florida year round. It is the worst over those summer months. Here are my top 5 ways to beat the heat and stay cool at Magic Kingdom Park.

#5  Take an Afternoon Break at Your Hotel

This is the perfect solution for those with little ones or for those that do not do well in the heat! Refresh at your resort during the heat of the day with a cool shower, a cat nap, and even a dip in the pool! Not only will this help cool you down and refresh you, but it will give you a break during the busiest times (12-4pm) and hottest times (12-3pm).

#4 Take Advantage of the Numerous Indoor Shows

Cool off in the air conditioning while you enjoy the show! At Magic Kingdom Park, you can do this in the Enchanted Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Carousel of Progress, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Dumbo the Flying Elephant indoor circus play area, and Enchanted Tales with Belle. Cool off at Splash Mountain & Casey Jr.

#3 Splash ‘N’ Soak

Get soaked riding Splash Mountain and you are sure to stay cool until your clothes dry! And then throughout the day head over to Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak to cool off with no waiting in line!

#2 Enjoy a Table Service Meal

Plan a sit down meal for lunch, so you can relax and cool off in an air conditioned dining location and enjoy a leisurely meal.

#1 FREE Ice Water

Stay hydrated! Take advantage of the fact that Disney World offers FREE ice water at all quick-service locations. This will keep you cool and hydrated.

Written by Kari O’Dell:  Kari creates lasting memories by planning customized land and sea vacations all over the world.  Not only does she find you the BEST accommodations with the BEST value, but she will fill in all the blanks for you, all at no cost to you.  Traveling is her passion!  Passing that magic on to your family is what fuels that passion!  If you are ready to save on your next vacation book your next vacation with Kari at 434-609-2370 or at kari@destinationsinflorida.com.

Disney World Monorails are one of the most beloved and recognizable modes of transportation on Walt Disney World property. These futuristic-looking, electric trains run on a concrete track high in the sky. Many consider a ride on the monorail as a ride in itself. Climb onboard this “Highway in the Sky” and take in the impressive sights of the Magic Kingdom and its resorts. There are three different tracks for the monorail trains – The Magic Kingdom Express, the Magic Kingdom Resorts, and an Epcot Line. The Express Monorail line runs continuously from the Transportation & Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom. This makes it fast and convenient for guests arriving from the main parking lot. The Magic Kingdom Resort loop makes five stops; Transportation & Ticket Center, the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, and then the Contemporary Resort. The Resort Monorail is a great way to visit the Magic Kingdom Resorts for shopping and dining. The Epcot line provides round trip service to Epcot from the TTC. The monorail has been transporting guests since the Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. And remember, “Please stand clear of the doors! Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas!”

Written by Michelle Guthrie: Michelle is a wife and mother to 3 young children. She was born and raised in Florida and a long time Disney World annual pass holder. When her family isn’t vacationing at Disney or Universal, they’re taking road trips to see the USA. It’s her family’s goal is to catch a game at every MLB ballpark. Michelle is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She loves helping plan magical vacations that create memories to last a lifetime…all at no cost to you. Contact Michelle to book your next vacation at Michelle@destinationsinflorida.com or 813-928-9432. You can also follow her on Facebook here.

VIP Ride on Orlando’s Tallest, Longest and Fastest Coaster to be Auctioned for Charity

Give Kids the World is our favorite non-profit organization and we are lovers of roller coasters, so we could not be more excited about this brilliant opportunity!

Thrill-ride fans itching to board SeaWorld Orlando’s spectacular new Mako roller coaster can skip the lines and be among the first to experience the most anticipated attraction in Central Florida this year, by participating in a special seat auction to benefit Give Kids The World Village.

SeaWorld Orlando and Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) are holding a seat auction that will allow winners to be among the first to ride the Mako coaster on June 8, before the Grand Opening celebration on June 10. It’s a chance to experience the “tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando” and to be part of “hypercoaster” history!

Auction proceeds will help GKTW fulfill the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses whose wish is to visit Orlando’s world-famous theme parks and other attractions.

The seat auction will be available at www.32auctions.com/InauguralMakoRide, now until June 3. Riders may pick their preferred seat during the bidding process depending on their desired thrill level: a middle seat in the middle car, or a side-seat in the back.

There’s even an exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience – offered at a minimum bid of $2,000 – that will award the winner two seats in the front row, riding with Brian Morrow, Vice President of Theme Park Experience for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Give Kids The World Village President and CEO Pamela Landwirth. In addition, the premium package winner will be awarded a two-night’s stay at a hotel near the theme park and lunch with Morrow, among other perks.

There are 80 additional seats available for auction, offered at a minimum bid of $250 or $500 depending on the train and seat(s) chosen. Winners will receive their selected seat(s), a Mako T-shirt, free parking and admission to SeaWorld Orlando for the remainder of the day.

Hurry and place your bid today! 

 

About Give Kids The World Village

Give Kids The World Village is a 79-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort, located near Central Florida’s most beloved attractions, where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations.

Celebrating its 30^th anniversary in 2016, GKTW has welcomed more than 144,000 families from all 50 states and 70 countries. Working with more than 240 wish granting organizations, this one-of-a-kind resort is the destination for a child’s wish to visit Florida’s world famous theme parks.

The “storybook” Village has 144 whimsical accommodations and is made for children, featuring a castle, accessible playgrounds, pools and rides, as well as all theme park tickets, meals and entertainment free to all members of the family.

Mako Surfacing June 10th at SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster will surface at SeaWorld on June 10 and will be the centerpiece of Shark Wreck Reef – a newly designed realm that blends education and thrills, while immersing guests in an underwater world.

The two-acre realm will be fully shark themed and include Mako, Shark Encounter, Sharks Underwater Grill, shops, shark and shipwreck theming and educational experiences featuring sharks.

Shark Wreck Reef is designed to make guests feel they’re underwater and part of the group of sharks that have taken over a shipwrecked reef.

Inside the realm, guests will learn about the impact humans are having on sharks and why these animals are critical to the environment. Sharks are hunted for their fins — considered a delicacy in certain countries — and in addition, tens of thousands are caught accidentally in nets. Several species of sharks are on the verge of extinction.

As guests venture further into the realm and into the queue line they’ll discover a unique sound system that will enhance their experience.  An original Mako score can be heard and follows guests as they enter the loading bay and emerge from the station aboard Mako and up the lift hill.

At night, specialty lights will accent the coaster trains, realm and track, flickering and shimmering, simulating fish being scattered by a mako on the hunt.

Mako will be a hypercoaster, designed for speed and relentless “air time” and lures guests to brave it’s tight turns, steep drops and predator power speeds. Riders will climb up to 200 feet high – offering tremendous views of the surrounding area – before plunging to reach speeds up to 73 mph.