If you are new to cruising or an avid cruiser, you will love the Norwegian Breakaway.  Sailing to the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean out of New York City.

I had the pleasure of setting sail on the Breakaway twice. Norwegians motto of Freestyle Cruising keeps the flexibility in your hands. No need to worry about Routines or Schedules.  Unless you would like to make a reservation at one of the Specialty Restaurants.  I loved Teppanyaki so much I took advantage of dining there on more than one occasion.  Also, the French Bistro was on the top of my favorites list too.

Are you a single traveler, well this is the ship for you.  They offer Studio Cabins with access to the Studio Lounge.  They even schedule singles meet and greets in the lounge throughout your sailing.  So you can make new friends.

How about a leisurely stroll on the Outside Waterfront unique to the Breakaway and Getaway..  Where you can check out shops, dining & nightlife.  My favorite was Maltings Beer & Whisky Bar. You can enjoy a cocktail indoors, and they walk outside and still be at the same bar, just with outdoor seating and an outside bar.  Or La Cucina was another fun option on the Waterfront.

Aqua Park & Sports Complex, here is where you will find the largest ropes course at sea and take your chance at walking the plank that reaches out a full 8 feet from the ship. I took advantage of walking the plank what a great memory.  Great pool slides and much more.  There is something for everyone in the entire family to enjoy.

So make sure to get on board this ship as soon as you can and experience all it has to offer. She is a beauty not to be missed.

Written by Dawn Caitano – Dawn specializes in multi-generational travel as well as honeymoons and proposals at Walt Disney World.  She is also an avid cruiser, having set sail on all the major cruise lines. Dawn’s experience and expertise, along with a sprinkle of her pixie dust, will make your vacation one to remember! Book your next vacation with Dawn at 917-494-5771 or dawn@destinationsinflorida.com.

Walt Disney World Resorts Christmas Decor

When you stay at a Disney World Resorts, the holiday magic starts from the moment you arrive. With enchanting decorations, magnificently trimmed Christmas trees, holiday carols in the air and festive touches all around, wherever you choose to stay, you’ll be welcomed with the warmth and wonder of this season.

Each Disney Resort hotel celebrates in its own special way. At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the lobby is decorated with an enormous Christmas tree! The Grand’s tree is adorned with sparking jewels, swans, bird cages, roses, flowers, ribbons and classic hanging ornaments. All are coordinated with the elegant Victorian theme of the resort.

Garland swags decorated with similar items adorn the railings on stairwells as well as upper floors. There’s even a small tree in the kids waiting area too!

Take a look at how the Grand Floridian decorates for Christmas:

In addition to the beautiful decorations at Disney’s Grand Floridian, you can also find a life-sized gingerbread house in the lobby! It’s a functioning shop that sells Christmas and holiday themed treats made of chocolate, gingerbread and more.

Have you visited any of the Walt Disney World resorts to see the Christmas decor?

Disney Springs Shopping for Christmas

Walt Disney World offers a lot of opportunities for Christmas shopping at the theme parks, the resorts and especially at Disney Springs!

You may recognize Disney Springs by it’s old name, Downtown Disney. Now as Disney Springs, this area has even more retail shopping opportunities than before! One of the best places to buy Disney Christmas merchandise like home decor items, ornaments and gifts is World of Disney in the Disney Springs Marketplace. They also carry holiday themed plush characters, Mickey ears, shirts, hats, pajamas and more!

LEGO lovers will enjoy any of the many, many LEGO build sets found at the Disney Springs LEGO store! And bargain hunters can find something unique at the Marketplace Fun Finds.

Once Upon a Toy is a great place to find toys, games and even books or movies. And Goofy’s Candy Co. has holiday themed treats you can take as souvenirs and stocking stuffers!

Here’s a look around at a few of the fun holiday items we found at Disney Springs!

There are so many more shops to visit for Disney Christmas merchandise as well as other merchandise.

Which shop do you think is the best for holiday shopping at Disney Springs?

Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks has so much to offer families when it comes to celebrating the holidays, but our family favorite is the holidays at Epcot. If you have never experienced Epcot during the Christmas season I highly suggest adding it to your next holiday vacation as you will not be disappointed. Your family will enjoy Epcot beautifully decorated for the holiday season, special offerings throughout the park and songs of the season with live performances of Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season.

Holidays at Epcot are unlike all other parks as you not only can enjoy the beautiful decorations, but your family is immersed in the chance to learn about holiday heritage from around the globe as you make your way through World Showcase. This is a wonderful opportunity for both young and old to learn what Christmas looks like in 11 different countries. My daughter looks forward to making her way through each country every year and then comes back to tell her class of the holidays in one of the countries.

On top of finding your way through World Showcase, your family is sure to enjoy the Candlelight Processional at the American Gardens Theatre. This experience is incredible as each night the Christmas story is told by a celebrity narrator along with a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir. This seasonal showcase is absolutely beautiful and is definitely an experience like no other. This awe-inspiring joyful event is included in your Epcot park tickets and is available nightly from November 27, 2015 – December 30, 2015. While this event is free to you, I highly suggest incorporating it with the Candlelight Processional Dining Package as it will guarantee your family a seat at a showing while not having to wait in the standby line.

The night ends at Epcot with an enhanced holiday Illuminations show on World Showcase Lagoon. This nightly show incorporates the traditional Illuminations with special holiday spirit with a musical finale that is sure to bring joy to your family!

Written by Kari O’Dell:  Kari creates lasting memories by planning customized 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 kari@destinationsinflorida.com.

Are you traveling to Walt Disney World Parks during the month of December? If you are, you are in for a very special treat! On select nights, you can be dazzled by true Disney holiday magic at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney’s Magical Kingdom. This special event does require a special ticket that is separate from the cost of your park tickets, and it is highly suggested to purchase your tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in advance as it does tend to sell out on many of its nights. And while this is a special event the crowds are much less than your typical park day as Disney only sells a certain number of tickets per night.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or MVMCP, is a night filled with Christmas magic that offers many holiday cheer that normally is not available in the parks. When your family attends this cheery party, you will enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cocoa all throughout your evening along with countless character meet and greets all throughout the Magic Kingdom. While there is so much to see and do you will definitely not want to miss the magical snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A, an enchanting stage performance from your favorite Frozen sisters in A Frozen Holiday Wish, the special Celebrate the Season Show and Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season and, of course, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Of course, no Christmas Party would be complete without Santa and Mrs. Clause being there to wish you and yours a “Merry Christmas.”

This year’s party is available on select nights with the following dates remaining: November 29 as well as December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18 from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

This special holiday event is a must for all ages and is sure to make even Scrooge cheery in Christmas spirit.

Written by Kari O’Dell:  Kari creates lasting memories by planning customized 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 kari@destinationsinflorida.com.

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe Menu

Howdy, partners! Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café recently debuted a reimagined menu, which now features Tex-Mex cuisine.

The new menu includes burritos and rice bowls in a choice of beef, chicken, or veggies. Chicken or steak fajitas are also available, each accompanied by cilantro rice, beans and tortilla. A Southwest Salad offers mixed greens, monterey jack cheese, tomato, roasted corn, jalapenos and chipotle ranch dressing over either chicken or spicy beef.

Fans of the locations former fixin’s bar will find it’s back and stocked with tasty sauces, salsas, peppers, onions, cheese and more. All guests have unlimited access to the fixin’s bar, so top your dishes with whatever you like and as much as you’d like!

Pecos Bill is a Quick Service restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. The menu and prices are the same for both meal periods. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted here. This restaurant is located in the Frontierland area of the park. It’s close in proximity to The Country Bear Jamboree, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It’s just around the corner from Adventureland, so the ever-popular Pirates of the Caribbean is not too far away either.

Pecos Bill formerly offered burgers, chicken, fries, corn and similar fare, so this is a shift in the style of foods offered.

Will you be saddling up for some tasty Tex-Mex at Pecos Bill soon?

A Universal Orlando vacation will definitely be fun, but it can also be expensive. With a bit of planning, you can have a fantastic vacation that won’t break the bank. Here are some of my favorite money saving tips for your vacation.

• Choose the right season to visit – When staying onsite, remember that prices vary depending on the time of year you travel. If your dates are flexible, choose the Value season and avoid the Peak and Holiday dates.

• Buy your tickets in advance – Time is money when visiting theme parks. If you purchase your tickets in advance, you will save time at the gate. Plus, you’ll get $20 off and a coupon book with discounts on restaurants and merchandise. The more days you play, the less you pay per day.

• Rent a locker – Stash a change of clothes in case you get soaked by rain or a water ride. You might want a jacket, sunscreen or some snacks or even lunch to save instead of purchasing higher priced items in the parks.

• Choose a vacation package at an onsite resort – Since time is money, you will receive the added benefit of the Universal Express Unlimited ride access that will allow you to skip the regular line. Plus, you’ll be within walking distance to the parks in addition to having early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

• Set a budget for souvenirs – If you are traveling with children, it’s a good idea to surprise them with a small toy or two from an offsite dollar store. Let them have a budget for something special from the park.

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

Extra On Board Credit Only Available From Destinations in Florida

We are proud to offer our guests an extra perk on their Norwegian Cruise Line vacation as a way to thank you for booking with us! Any NCL Cruise booked with us during the month of December 2015 will receive an extra $25 Shipboard Credit! This is on top of any other offers or promotions we have already applied to your vacation, too!

Our agents would love to assist you in selecting the perfect Norwegian Cruise Line vacation. We have experience with several of the ships, including the Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Escape and more! Many of our agents are graduates of “NCL University” and we are ready to help you find the most perfect cruise for your vacation needs!

This extra perk is only available to agents of Destinations in Florida / Destinations to Explore Travel, so contact us today! 

Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Quote Today!

877-918-8941 or Request a Price Online

Who says the Grinch Stole Christmas?! He certainly didn’t steal it from Universal Studios Orlando

I was just there last December for Christmas with my family, and the Seuss Grinchmas area was hands down one of our favorite parts of the park for the holidays. There were bright wreaths everywhere, Christmas music playing, and a sense of the holiday spirit throughout.

Several places for great photo ops for the family—a favorite is with the Grinch himself, or next to a massive 60ft Christmas tree. Stop inside one of the many unique Seuss stories to listen to a Christmas story being read, get your holiday shopping done, and don’t forget to stop in the Snookers & Snookers Sweet Candy store for lots of sugary yummies!

Be sure to stop and listen to the Who-ville singers as they carol their way through Seuss Landing and take a spin on the festive Caro-Seuss-el, hop aboard The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train ride or go for a wild ride on the One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue fish attraction
So much to see and do in Seuss Landing during Grinchmas—so don’t be a Grinch and check it out this year!

Regina Cwiklinski Travel Agent with Destinations to Explore
I love to travel with my husband and two young kids to Disney, Universal, and tropical destinations. I also love to help other families plan their dream vacation. Happy Travels!
regina@destinationsinflorida.com 262-707-7909

Disney Pop Century Resort opened to the public on December 14, 2003. It’s one of the least expensive ways to stay right on Disney Property. As many Pop Century fans say ‘it may be small on price, but not on fun.

The average standard room starts at $107 and top out at $236 for a preferred room, in 2015. But it is not short on Disney Magic. Pop Century Resort, or POP as some Disney fans call it, is themed around icons and memories from the 20th century. We go from Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head to a huge jar of Play-Doh, to roller blades, to a large replica of a Mickey Mouse telephone. Each section of the resort represents a different decade. It ranges from the 1950’s to the 1990’s; and these buildings house over 2,800 guest rooms.

Head over to the Fast Forward arcade for some great rainy day fun. It’s a great spot to play all the great games from every generation. POP also offers three giant pools, each themed to a decade and a smaller kids pool area too.

Make sure to stop over at Everything Pop Food Court to enjoy some yummy treats or a full quick service meal. In addition to that, POP also has laundry facilities, high-speed Internet, and transportation to and from all the Disney Parks and Disney Springs. Out of the five Disney Value Resorts, only two have dedicated bus line and Pop Century is one of them!

A quick fun tip… Did you know that in Classic Hall you can also gather twice a day to dance your heart out? Every morning at 8:00 cast members hit the ‘dance floor’ and twist away. It really gets your day started off right. Come back at 6:00 pm get your dancing shoes and join everyone to do “The Hustle”.

From the amazing pools, fun activities and great amenities Disney’s Pop Century is one amazing resort.

Written by Veronica Mazarelli: Veronica creates lasting memories by planning customized 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 Veronica at veronica@destinationsinflorida.com.