Adventures by Disney is ready for you!

Adventures by Disney is an amazing way to see the world.  They offer incredible vacations to North America, South and Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia.

You’ll become an active participant in your vacation, not just a tourist.  On your Adventure by Disney, you will meet local and learn from them, like Tai Chi form a local master.  Get inside access to places you could never get on your own, enjoy reserved entry and access to Michelangelo’s David and the famed Duomo, stay a night in Dromoland Castle, dine among the works of art in the Louvre Museum or cuddle husky puppies that are training for the Iditarod race.

On top of the one-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll have with Adventures by Disney, you’ll have a worry-free adventure.  From meet and greets at the airport, to transportation within the trip, to luggage services, to dining and unique hotels there is nothing for you to worry about.

You will have 2 Adventure Guides with you at all times during your Adventure by Disney.  They will take care of everything for you, sharing their knowledge and insights along the way.

Book your Adventure by Disney with Diana!

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.

Experience Wishes, Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks display, with a perfect unobstructed view, while comfortably sitting in a chair with plenty of room to move and walk around. A perfect view, comfortable seating, what could possibly make this any better? How about enjoying an all you can eat dessert buffet as well. The Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party is one of Magic Kingdom’s best kept secrets! The dessert party is not widely advertised. People mostly hear about it through word of mouth. Reservations are hard to come by, as this is not a regularly scheduled event. It tends to just pop up on the calendar. The Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party ranges in price of $15-$35.99, and does require payment at the time of booking.

Reservations for Wishes sometimes only open up 60-90 days in advance. As your travel agent I am happy to make these reservations for you. If I am unable to make a reservation right away, I will personally check every day leading up to your vacation to see if anything becomes available. If I am unable to get you a reservation I can suggest getting over to the terrace around the time the dessert party begins to see if there is any empty space available. Just remember there is never a guarantee that you will be able to just walk up and get in.

 Now here is a look at what you might find at the dessert party, just keep in mind that the dessert list is subject to change

Chocolate Truffle

Cup Cakes

Pistachio Crème Brulee

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry

Glazed Donut Holes

Brownie

Cookie

Cheesecake

Fruit Tarts

Fresh Fruit

Cannoli

Mango Shots

Raspberry Lemonade

Lemonade

Ice Tea

Chocolate Milk

Milk

Water

Hot Chocolate

Hot Tea

Coffee

The Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party is truly a hidden treasure at Magic Kingdom! It is a memorable and enjoyable way to experience the biggest and most dazzling fireworks display Magic Kingdom as to offer! It is definitely a Disney must do!

Written by Meghan Blair, the “Disney Foodie” — As a Florida Resident, Meghan combines her love of Disney and her love of food! She will give you the best restaurant and dining tips and suggestions to make your meals, just as magical as the rest of your vacation! Book your next vacation with Meghan at 954-328-7090 or meghan@destinationsinflorida.com.

At Disney World anyone can make their Princess dreams come true at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a beauty salon where young Guests are magically transformed into little princesses and knights at 2 locations: World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney Area and Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom theme park.

Take a look at this young princess’ transformation with our video from Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique:

It’s hard not to feel perfectly pampered in this charming little boutique at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom that’s owned by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and operated by Fairy Godmothers-in-training. Please note, all Guests must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older.

Princess Packages Guests ages 3 to 12 can choose from 3 hair styles—Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva and Pop Princess—as well as multiple hair styles, nail color, make-up and a total package including Disney Princess costume and photographs. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom offers 3 unique packages:
* Coach Package includes hairstyling and shimmering makeup—starting at $49.95 USD plus tax.
* Crown Package includes hairstyling, shimmering makeup and nails—starting at $54.95 USD plus tax
* Castle Package includes the Crown Package plus the Imaging Package (one 6″ x 8″ and four 4″ x 6″ photos in a princess-themed photo holder) and complete costume of your choice with accessories—starting at $189.95 USD plus tax.

The optional Imaging Package includes one 6″ x 8″ and four 4″ x 6″ photos in a princess-themed photo holder.
The World of Disney Store location offers a wide variety of beautiful accessories — including ponytail hairpieces and tiaras.

The Knight Package
Guests ages 3 to 12 can also select The Knight Package, which includes hair styling as well as a mighty sword and shield for $14.95 plus tax.

Cinderella Castle is the fairy tale castle at the center of two Disney theme parks: the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, and Tokyo Disneyland at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Both Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland castles serve as worldwide recognized icons and the flagship attraction for their respective theme parks.

 

Go behind the scenes at the Walt Disney World at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and see what it takes to bring movies to life!
Studio Backlot Tour is a 35-minute, behind-the-scenes guided walk and tram ride showcasing the art of special effects in movies at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World.

Go behind the scenes for a backstage look at how the magic of movies is made at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Begin your guided tour with a short walk to a special outdoor viewing area and discover how battles and storms at sea are created with the help of water tanks and pyrotechnics. Lucky Guests chosen beforehand will get the unique opportunity to participate in the Harbor Attack, creating battle scenes at sea.

After the brief show, embark on a jaunt through a prop warehouse where you just may notice a few familiar items made famous movies. Then, board an open-air, 200-seat tram and embark on a tour of the backlot, where lifelike sets seen in familiar television shows and movies mingle with delightful topiaries, production bungalows and vehicles used in Disney movies.

Wind your way past soundstages, peek inside the Disney’s Hollywood Studios camera and snap a picture of the props and lighting departments. Toward the end of your eye-opening ride, prepare to face nature’s fury during a detour through Catastrophe Canyon, where an earthquake, a flash flood and explosions and crashes are sure to delight everyone in the family.

After the tour, visit the American Film Institute Showcase where Guests of all ages can view costumes, props and sets from recent and classic movies and television shows.

Here’s a video from Disney’s Hollywood Studios Back lot tour:

Hi!! My name is Tracey DeMarco; I am the Hotel How-to Gal!!  I will guide you through the interesting and often frustrating waters of deciding which Disney Hotel is best for your family vacation.  It is not an easy task with 26 resorts in 4 different categories.  The first thing you need to do is figure which category is best for your family.

The 4 categories, which you might already know; but do you know which resort falls into which category:

Deluxe:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Moderate:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Value:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (brand new resort open 2012)
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney Vacation Club Villas:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Deluxe resorts are the closest to the various parks, like the Grand Floridian is right next to the Magic Kingdom.  The Beach Club is walking distance to Epcot and so forth.  Next comes the moderate level, which is not a far distance from the Parks but does require transportation instead of walking.  Buses are provided at all resorts.  The value resorts are the furthest from the parks and can take up to 30 minutes to get to each park if you use the bus system.

All resorts have their own special décor that can appeal to everyone.  Once you have decided on a category the next step is decided what you want to see while you are here.  From the Polynesian Islands to the New Orleans flair I can tell you that you will be happy no matter where you stay.

My families favorite resort it Wilderness Lodge.  Wilderness Lodge is close to Magic Kingdom (all you have to do is hop on a boat to get there) but it is not on the monorail system.  We like this because we feel it is not so crowded on the transportation to all the parks.  We love the Pacific Northwest décor and Whispering Canyon Café is not to be missed.

As we go through all of the special places that we can stay at Disney I will give tips and little known facts to help you decide and enjoy all that Disney’s resorts have to offer.

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 Want to take the thinking out of your Disney Vacation Planning? Let us do the work for YOU! Contact us today for your FREE no-obligation quote.   Click here to see why everyone is booking their Disney vacation with Hotel How-to Gal. Planning is when the magic begins!

 

Ever since many young girls can remember, they have been dreaming about their very own happily ever after. They dream about their Prince Charming and riding off into the sunset to his castle. These princesses often can’t imagine anywhere more magical or romantic to begin their happily ever after than the happiest place on Earth. Whether you are planning your engagement, wedding, honeymoon, or vow renewal, Disney has something for you! As a past Disney bride and honeymooner, I can tell you first-hand how wonderful, magical, and special these events can be with a little Disney magic!

 

Disney’s Fairytale Weddings help make these dreams come true for brides and grooms every day. Whether your dream is a magical fairytale, an internationally inspired affair, or an outdoor gathering, Disney has options for everyone. Disney can make these dreams come true for the most intimate gatherings or the most extravagant celebrations. Best of all, there are options for every budget. You have four options for these celebrations- Disney World in Florida, Disneyland in California, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. You could even choose a combination of these locations. For example, you could have a Disney World wedding followed by a Disney Cruise Line honeymoon at the destinations of your choice. Honeymooners have another great option too, which is an Adventures by Disney vacation where you can see exciting places all over the world with a guided tour!  Every event is unique and can be customized to fit the desires and personalities of each couple!

 

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.

This week, Kristin from Couponing to Disney, offers her favorite tip for a Disney World vacation.

Cast Members are there to help you. If you have a question, concern or just want some insider tips, be sure to strike up a conversation with a Cast Member. I also suggest that you verify your parade or fireworks watching spot with the nearest Cast Member that you see. You don’t want to pick a spot that doesn’t have a good view or a spot where they will make you move from.

Stay tuned next week for another Disney World tip from the queen of couponing to Disney!

Juneau, a port of call on a Disney Cruise Line Alaska & Pacific Coast Cruise vacation, is the state capital of Alaska located along the Gastineau Channel of southern Alaska’s panhandle. Nestled at the base of Mount Juneau amid a rainforest, Juneau is the largest capital in area in the United States and the only state capital accessible by air or ship only.

Local Culture and Flavor
With its rugged mountainsides, sweeping glaciers and rainforests, Juneau is a scenic wonderland everywhere you look. Witnessing wildlife, like a brown bear fishing for food during a nature hike or a bald eagle casually soaring overhead, is not out of the ordinary.

As the capital of Alaska, Juneau’s primary employer is the government—one out of every 2 Juneau workers is employed by the state, federal and municipal branches. Fishing, mining and tourism are also important parts of the Juneau economy. Recreational activities include hiking, kayaking, fishing, skiing, whale watching and wildlife viewing. Of the city’s 31,000 residents, a large percent are fisherman, legislators, teachers and business owners.

Juneau is home to Alaska’s only professional theater, Perseverance Theatre and the area hosts both the Alaska Folk Festival and the Juneau Jazz & Classics music festivals.

Past and Present
Originally a fishing outpost for local Tlingit Native Americans, the area now known as Juneau was founded in 1880 after 2 prospectors—Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau—discovered gold, thanks to help by Chief Kowee of the Auk Tlingit Tribe. Shortly thereafter, the town, originally called Harrisburg, was struck with “gold fever” and began to flourish, followed by hard-rock mining, sawmilling, canning and an expanding fishing industry. Juneau became the capital of Alaska in 1906.

Today, Juneau remains a treasured tourist destination that includes not only a Tlingit Native American influence, but also a tradition steeped in Russian culture. Boasting timeless natural wonders, museums and the historic sites, Juneau continues to stir the imaginations of all who visit.

Take a look at our video and explore Juneau, Alaska: A Port of Call of the Disney Wonder Alaskan Itinerary

All Aboard!
Take off on a scenic half-mile adventure into the wilds of old America aboard a steam-powered paddler wheeler in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Board the Colonial-American-inspired, 3-tiered Liberty Belle riverboat nestled in the heart of Liberty Square and embark on a relaxing journey around Tom Sawyer Island along the Rivers of America.

Sights to See
During this charming, 17-minute journey into America’s early frontier, behold a menagerie of sights along the Magic Kingdom’s river’s edge including:

• An early American settlement
• An idyllic Native American village
• Harper’s Mill
• Fort Langhorn
• Wilson’s Cave Inn
• Woodland animals, including deer
• Unique views of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion, well-known Magic Kingdom attractions

Along the way, listen to lively narration by iconic American author Mark Twain as he details a time when traveling was as much about new discoveries as it was about transportation.

Liberty Belle
Liberty Belle is a working reproduction of the historic vessels that ferried people up and down the mighty Mississippi. An actual working steam engine converts the water from the Rivers of America into steam that in turn powers the large paddle that propels the boat.

Aboard the Riverboat
Featuring meticulously detailed wood craftsmanship, the 47-foot tall Liberty Belle is comprised of 4 pristine decks:

• Pilothouse, also known as the top deck, features the wheelhouse and Captain’s Quarters
• Promenade Deck, includes a salon and a collection of vintage photos and maps
• Texas (or Sun) Deck, the perfect place to catch some rays as you float down the river
• Main Deck, includes the boiler and pistons that run the paddlewheel

Limited seating is available on all 4 decks.

Travel back to the past while moving full steam ahead on Liberty Belle!

Have a look at Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom in our video:

Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers an amazing menu of Nuevo Latino cuisine paired with traditional American flare, Maya Grill invites you to fall in love with the style and culture of Latin America. Celebrate the flavors of the Latin American cultures in a spacious, majestic dining room with Spanish tiles, graceful columns and the welcoming Mayan motifs of fire, sun and water.

Here’s a video of Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Maya Grill Menu

Breakfast Menu at Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 
Entree/Main Course
Breakfast skillet – Breakfast potatoes topped with eggs, sausage, bacon and cheese sauce. Served with Biscuit – $9.99
Continental Breakfast – Selection of Pastries and fruit with coffee and juice – $7.99
Eggs Benedict – Served with Premium Canadian Baconm poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. – $10.99
Fruit Plate – Seasonal Fruit and berries served with a yogurt sauce – $8.99
Mickey Waffles – Served with fresh fruit and syrup – $5.09
Omelets – Ham and cheese or Mushroom and Mozzarella or Vegetable blend – $11.99
Pancake Trio – Served with syrup, seasonal fruit cup and choice of meats – $9.99
Smoked Norwegian Salmon and Bagel – Served with red onion, cream cheese and tomato – $9.99
Steak and Huevos Rancheros – 2 eggs cooked to order and char grilled sirloin on corn tortilla, served with ranchera sauce and jack blend cheese – $14.99
Traditional Breakfast – 2 eggs, choice of meat, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast, biscuit or muffin – $11.99
Side Dish
Bagel and cream cheese – . – $2.99
Ham, bacon or Sausage – . – $3.59
Toast, English Muffin or Biscuit – . – $2.99

Dinner Menu at Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 
Appetizers/Starter
Gulf Shrimp Cocktail – Served with traditional Cocktail sauce and a spicy Aioli. – $10.00
Pan Seared Scallops – Green and red chili sauces, savory chorizo – $10.00
Pulled Pork Empanada – Served with Chipotle cream – $9.00
Seafood Skillet – Gulf shrimp, baby clams, and mussels in a zesty tomato and garlic sauce – $13.00
Stuffed Portobello Mushroom – Topped with chicken breast, monterrey jack cheese and a spicy passion fruit dip – $10.00

Soups/Salads
Heart of Romaine Caesar – Caesar dressing with parmesan garlic crisp – $8.00
Seasonal Greens Salad – Seasonal Greens Salad – $8.00
Soup of the Day – Soup of the Day – $7.00

Entree/Main Course
Beef Tenderloin Tips – Served with sauteed mushroom medley. – $29.00
Char grilled Swordfish steak – Thai curry, beurre blanc, lentil and chayote medley – $25.00
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breast – Served with Chipotle BBQ sauce and roasted avocado salsa – $21.00
Pan seared Snapper – Zucchini and cilantro risotto with guajillo
Pork Chop Milanesa – Served with herb rice pilaf, spinach, shitake mushroom
Pork Loin Salteado – Peruvian style stir fry served on steak fries and rocoto sauce
Salmon A La Plncha – Surimi and jicama slaw with vegetable medley
Seafood Jalea – Gulf shrimp, fresh catch and calamari served with tomato, red oniom and cilantro slaw.
Shoulder Beef Tender – Served in a Cabernet and Balsamic reduction, includes choice of potato & mixed veggies.
Steak & Catch – Filet mignon and fresh catch of the day. Includes choice of potato & mixed veggies.
Steak and Portobello Skewer – Includes choice of potato & Ratatouille veggies.
Traditional Ribeye Steak – Served with parmesan potato and ratatouille vegetables