Universal Orlando is one of our family’s favorite Orlando Theme Parks!  However, there are often times of the year we avoid Universal due to the crowds and lines.  A couple weeks ago, Universal Orlando hosted us for the Choice Hotels Ultimate People Person mini vacation.  They hooked us up with a VIP Tour Guide and took us to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Our tour guide “back doored” us to popular rides like Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott’s, Spider Man, The Mummy, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Hogwart’s Express and so many more.  Most of these rides had a 60-90 minute wait, but we walked right in.  This was certainly a fantastic way to quickly see both Universal Orlando Parks.

Our tour guide was almost like our “mother” during the day.  When it rained, she had ponchos ready to go.  When we got to rides, she would take all of our purses and bags while we rode the attraction.  She was even there to take us to a delicious dining experience at Lombard’s at Universal Studios.  She even stamped our valet voucher, so we could park in valet parking for FREE!

However, for me the highlight was learning all about the Universal Orlando Parks.  As a regular visitor, I learned a lot of new insider information about the park, rides and even celebrities that visit these parks.  I soaked in all of the information and cannot wait to share some of these with my family on our next visit.

The Universal Orlando VIP Tours are available for any guest.  Look into booking this exclusive experience on your next visit to the movies!

Disney’s Polynesian Club Level Lounge Tour

Disney’s Polynesian Resort Club Level Lounge is a special perk for guests staying in the Club/Concierge Rooms at this resort. It’s called King Kamehameha Club.

This exclusive lounge has a spectacular view of the Seven Seas Lagoon and they even pump in the Wishes Fireworks for the evening show.  They offer snacks throughout the day, including Continental Breakfast, Evening Appetizers, and Nightly Cordials & Desserts.  This is a great benefit of staying in a Club/Concierge Room at Disney World.

The club is secured by key access. It’s open and serving refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

Have you ever stayed in a room on Disney’s Polynesian Club Level?

 

 

Second Entrance into Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Did you know there’s a second entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Check out this insider tip to save you time on your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

Have you used this entrance before?

Disney World expansions were announced at the #D23Expo in Disneyland.  Disney announced some incredible new expansions at the parks.  Most of the expansions are focusing on Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The huge announcement was the creation of a 14 acre lands themed after Star Wars.  This adventure will bring you into the life of Star Wars and take you on two different attractions.  One of the attractions will take you on a secret mission on the Millennium Falcon.

Here are some renderings from this amazing new expansion.

Another exciting Disney World expansion announcement was the addition of a whole new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called Toy Story Land.  Imagine shrinking down to the size of a toy and wandering around Andy’s backyard.  You even get to take a roller coaster ride (family friendly) on Slinky Dog.  It sounds like fun for the whole family!

In addition to these two Disney World expansions, there are several other updates around Disney World including:

• “Frozen Ever After” in Norway at Epcot:  This ride will take you on a Disney Frozen journey through Arendelle for the Winter in Summer Celebration.  This ride is located in Epcot in the Norway Pavilion.
• Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park:  This expansion is the largest expansion ever at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.  It will take you into the world of Pandora and guests will get to enjoy this park after dark with incredible immersive experiences.
• Soarin’ Around the World update at Epcot:  The popular Soarin’ ride will get an update to HD and include new adventures around the world!
• Skipper Canteen Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park:  This brand new Jungle Cruise restaurant at Magic Kingdom will be run by Jungle Cruise Shippers and feature “World Famous Jungle Cuisine.”

With all of these new Disney World expansions, what are you most excited about?  Leave a comment below!

As a local living in Orlando, I have passed the Bluegreen Vacations resort called The Fountains many times.   It is on a popular road near Disney World, but tucked away around a quiet lake.  You can see it in the distance, but I have never stopped in for a visit.  We were hosted by Choice Hotels and Bluegreen Vacations during our stay for the Choice Hotels Ultimate People Person mini vacation.  I enjoyed several nights at this resort hotel.  Unlike a typical hotel, The Fountains is a true resort.  You have suite rooms.  Our room had two separate bedrooms, living room and fully equipped kitchen.  This was perfect with a family!  In addition to the spacious rooms, this resort had tons of amenities for the whole family.

My favorite resort amenity was the incredible pool.  You had Mermaid Academy, waterslides, splash area, volleyball, lots of lounge chairs and even ducks.  Check out this amazing video from The Fountains pool.

The Fountains Resort is the perfect hotel for a Central Florida vacation.  I loved that this hotel was near the theme parks, dining and outlet shopping but still a quiet family resort.  Check out this resort for your next Orlando vacation!

Swim with Sharks Disney Typhoon Lagoon

You can swim with sharks at Disney Typhoon Lagoon water park! Remember all those awesome sharks you saw on Shark Week on Discovery Channel? See some in real life with this fun adventure!

Shark Reef is free with your paid admission into Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. You get snorkel equipment and a life jacket (if you need it), a quick lesson on how to snorkel and then away you go to snorkel with sharks, rays and fish! It is amazing!

Jump in and swim with colorful tropical fish, stingrays and sharks at one of Typhoon Lagoon’s most unique experiences. The water is cold though! Brave bracing 68-degree waters—that’s how the fish like it—and hear only the sound of your own breathing as you get an eyeful of leopard and bonnethead sharks, stingrays and schools of blue tangs. (Think Dory from Disney•Pixar’sFinding Nemo!) An overturned sunken tanker with viewing portholes adds whimsy to the seascape while offering non-swimmers the opportunity to see undersea specimens without getting wet.

At Shark Reef, big kids, teens and adults can enjoy the exhilarating experience of snorkeling with minimal effort. Just put on your snorkel, mask and optional lifejacket, hop in and gently glide your way from one side to the other. All equipment for crossing Shark Reef is included with your park admission, at no additional charge. The reef is 10 feet deep after the initial drop-off point, so participating Guests must be able to float across, either on their own or with a lifejacket. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

If you’d like a more in-depth exploration of Shark Reef, you can snorkel in a special area with even more marine life. Visit Hammer Head Fred’s Dive Shop and ask about the SAS (Supplied-Air Snorkeling) system, available at an additional charge. No certification is required to participate.

Would you swim with sharks at Disney?

Learn to Line Dance at American Q Restaurant at B Resort & Spa

Strap on your dancing shoes! We are pleased to announce the Throwdown Hoedown, taking place on Thursdays at American Q!

From 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., choreographer Trevor Thornton will have you line dancing (and teach beginners a few steps along the way) to your favorite country, pop, and R&B songs.

Plus enjoy $3 Jack Daniel’s and Draft Beers, $4 Beef Brisket Sliders and$1 Hickory Smoked Jerk Chicken Lollipops, as well as other specials all night long.

American Q is located at the B Resort & Spa. 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Phone: 407.827.3080.

View of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort from Pop Century Resort

The view of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort from Disney’s Pop Century can be spectacular. If you are staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, you may want to take your coffee and relax on the lake while enjoying the view and sounds of Florida. This is a great spot to enjoy nature and calm your mind and body before heading out on an exciting day. If you are runner or walker, this is a great place to get some exercise too!

What’s your favorite spot to relax at Walt Disney World?

Video Tour: Madame Tussauds Orlando

Visiting MADAME TUSSAUDS Orlando is like rolling out the red carpet to become Florida’s latest celebrity hotspot! Madame Tussauds provides visitors the opportunity to indulge in the ultimate fame experience and set onto the red carpet amongst their favorite celebrities.

Guests will experience the essence of America with this brand new, immersive and interactive wax experience, bursting with family fun and world-class entertainment. They will move through themed areas meeting all of their favorite stars from award winning film actors, to historical and modern world leaders, sports stars, music legends as well as figures important to the Florida area.

Visitors can grab a ‘selfie’ with A-listers from Selena Gomez to Beyoncé, measure up against sporting greats and sing a duet with Taylor Swift.

So, who do you want to meet?

Song of the Rainforest Disney Animal Kingdom

After taking a ride on the Wilderness Express train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, join Grandma Willow for a 3D audio journey through a rainforest and experience the wondrous serenade of nature. The Song of the Rainforest is located inside the Conservation Station and is just part of the various experiences you can partake in while there.

Go Wild! Enjoy an in-depth look at animal habitats from around the globe and discover the expert care our park animals receive.
Through informative interactive exhibits and a viewable onsite research facility, Conservation Station invites you to uncover the mysteries of the wild—and to go behind the scenes of Disney’s efforts to promote conservation awareness.

Designed for animal lovers of every age, Conservation Station features more than 10 care areas and Disney-themed experiences.

Have you visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and Conservation Station?