Disney Destinations

The Disney Wish

Published on September 2, 2022 in Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Disney Destinations/Disney Wish/Travel/Travel Agent by Crystal Boston

I have now experienced all five Disney ships – Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, and the NEW Disney Wish!

If you have experienced the other ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, drop all comparisons when you cruise onboard the Disney Wish because she definitely has a personality all her own! She’s a beautiful ship with some familiar experiences and a whole lot of new experiences and imaginative surprises too.

Let’s start with the food…

Marceline Market is the buffet option onboard the Disney Wish and it was so good that I forgot to go to the sit-down breakfast at least one morning during our cruise, which is something I always do.

The buffet offered my favorite peel and eat shrimp, which is how I always start my cruise, and made-to-order omelets for breakfast as well as many other delicious selections for breakfast and lunch.

The quick service dining options at Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods were similar as well with a few new options – such as Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue which was a favorite for my husband – he was so excited to dig in he forgot to take photos of the food so we will get some during out next cruise!

For dinner service, the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line is still included but is called ‘Signature Dining’ onboard the Disney Wish. We enjoyed all three dining experiences and, as adults only, 1923 was our favorite. We even wore our 1920’s attire.

There are many lounge areas to explore…

The lounge areas on the Disney Wish can be found throughout the ship – small venues all with their own theming. My personal favorite was The Rose which is located at the entrance to Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The ocean view is amazing as you experience creative beverages that are full of special surprises too! We enjoyed some favorite activities in the lounges such as Match Your Mate and the Silent DJ party as well as Trivia.

We also were able to secure a reservation for the Star Wars themed Hyperspace Lounge. This was an interesting venue with Star Wars themed beverages and, currently, you are limited to a 45-minute experience.

One of the specialty beverages at The Rose.

Pools and more for everyone…

The Disney Wish also offers many small pool areas, for families, kids and adults only. While I explored these pools, my favorite was the infinity pool at the AFT of the ship and I can’t wait to enjoy this location onboard again during our next cruise. The main family pool area is where they do the “Set Sail on a Wish” sail-away party and Pirate Night fun! You can also see many movies on the Funnel Vision screen during the day and evening.

The Disney Wish also offers the Senses Spa and Fitness Center and laundry room as well as the kids clubs with a slide from the Grand Hall for access to the kids clubs! I plan to explore these areas more on futures sailings, except for the laundry room…

And, of course, the characters!

We were able to reserve a spot for the Royal Gathering and now HUGS ARE BACK so we will get a bit more personal with the characters during our next cruise!

Stateroom theming…

Again, while all Disney ships offer stateroom theming, the Disney Wish is a bit different. Each deck has a theme and then the staterooms on each deck have different princess themes. This time we had the Sleeping Beauty theme and our friends in the connecting stateroom had Princess & the Frog. We are excited to see the other stateroom themes on future sailings onboard the Disney Wish!

The Grand Hall…

One final little tip, be sure to go to the Grand Hall at least one evening of your cruise for the Kiss Goodnight! It is currently happening at 10 pm, 11 pm and midnight each night [TIP: Pirate Night is a bit different].

And, remember, you can cruise with your Travel Agent! Check my events page for dates.

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Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Published on November 19, 2018 in Disney Destinations/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort recently opened, replacing the former Shutters dining location. Located along the Old Port Royale promenade, this family-friendly spot offers signature dishes for lunch and dinner.

When looking at the menu for this table service dining experience I was not very excited. However, don’t let the menu deter you, the descriptions do not do the food justice and our server was super helpful with recommendations and she was spot on! I highly recommend Sebastian’s Bistro and would say that is it now one of my favorite dining experiences on property!

I dined with friends and, first, we enjoyed island inspired appetizers – Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings, Arepa and Caribbean Pull-apart Rolls – before our dinner.

For dinner we chose the Slow-cooked Pork Shoulder, Sautéed Shrimp and Tamales, Grilled Skirt Steak “Chimichurri” and the Sustainable Fish which was Mahi Mahi. Everything was delicious and prepared exactly as ordered and the presentation was perfect.

And, of course, dessert is always a must.

We shared the Warm Chocolate Pudding and Banoffee Tart, which was the recommendation of our server. And, because it sounded fun, I also ordered the Message in the Bottle – stick with what your server recommends, this tasted like raw eggs to me… And, I do apologize, I didn’t get a chance to take a photo before we dug in to the Banoffee Tart – but it was DELICIOUS!!

When planning your dining experience at Sebastian’s Bistro, be sure to allow time before or after dinner to enjoy the outdoor bar, Banana Cabana. It’s a fun and relaxing spot with island music and friendly bartenders.

Be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Walk-up Guests can sometimes be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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The Edison at Disney Springs

Published on October 28, 2018 in Disney Destinations/Orlando/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

The Edison at Disney Springs is a fun dining spot or even a great place to just stop for adult beverages. It boasts an industrial gothic-style and serves up classic American cuisine, craft cocktails and unique entertainment.

Designed to look like a 1920s electric company, The Edison offers several themed dining/lounge areas with a steady lineup of unique acts like contortionists, aerialists, live cabaret, DJs and more.

Guests arriving after 10:00 PM each night must wear venue-appropriate attire. Men may wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts. Jackets are optional. No ball caps, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops allowed. Guests also must be at least 21 years of age to enter The Edison after 10:00 PM.

We have imbibed at the lounges and dined at The Edison several times but, while I have experienced some of the entertainment, I have not yet had the opportunity to experience the ‘adults only’ nightlife – soon!

The most famous appetizer on the menu is the DB ‘Clothesline Candied Bacon’, which we order every time and always enjoy! For our main dining, we have experienced the Organic Tomato Soup and Gooey Grilled Cheese, Caesar Salad with Salmon and The Edison Burger with fries – all delicious!

You can also slip through the back passageway to Enzo’s Hideaway, a speakeasy-inspired tunnel bar, for more food and beverage.

Be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort – especially for an adults only experience! Walk-up Guests can sometimes be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account or Open Table and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Published on October 1, 2018 in Disney Destinations/Orlando/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is not new to Disney or to me but it has been several years since I have experienced this dining location and it was much too long to wait…

From the time we arrived at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort we experienced a lively atmosphere – a warm welcome from the attendant at the entrance, open hospitality at the indoor bar, Las Ventanas, and a friendly greeting from the hostess, manager and staff at Maya Grill – our experience before any food was served was exceptional.

We shared our experience with local friends celebrating their birthday and, on arriving at Maya Grill for our dinner reservation, we were met by a Hostess and the manager as well as a seater – all were very friendly and welcoming making our experience fun from the start.

On being seated, our server was quick to greet us and offered suggestions for beverages and food choices from the menu. The atmosphere of the restaurant is a casual Tex-Mex Mayan feel and you could comfortably enjoy a dinner here after coming straight from a day at the parks.

After our server brought our beverages he delivered a bread service to start, along with our appetizers – Queso Fundido and House Guacamole – everything was delicious and prepared well.

Our entrées consisted of Maya Grill’s Signature Fajita Skillet, Seafood Grill Platter (which was enough for two!), Beef Short Ribs and a Classic Caesar salad with a side of steak (for me) at the recommendation of our server – it was delicious, and I loved how it was prepared and served.

For dessert we shared the Ancho Chili Creme Brûlée and Chocolate Abuelita Panna Cotta – both were amazing – the Creme Brûlée was very light and I love everything chocolate!

And you can’t dine at Maya Grill without experiencing the Margarita Flight, which includes 5 shot glasses of specialty handcrafted Margaritas – Mango Blueberry Basil, Classic, Horchata, Pineapple and Jalapeño!

While Disney’s Coronado Springs is undergoing extensive construction, be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Walk-up Guests can be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account or Open Table and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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Why You Should Use a Vacation Planner that Specializes in Disney Destinations

Published on May 1, 2018 in Disney Destinations by Crystal Boston

A Disney vacation is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a magical experience. It’s the ideal location for any life celebration – family vacations, honeymoons, couples getaways, graduation and more! Planning any vacation, especially a Disney vacation, can be a complex endeavor. During your planning you’ll make many decisions that will affect all aspects of your vacation. Throw in the complexities of the many varied promotional offers and it can become an intimidating experience. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you use an Authorized Disney Vacation Agency with knowledgeable agents Specializing in Disney Destinations and I am a Travel Agent with such an agency and knowledge! Here are my top reasons to use a Vacation Planner that Specializes in Disney Destinations…

Less Stress

Using a Vacation Planner that Specializes in Disney Destinations can take all of the stress out of planning your Disney Destination vacation. I will guide you to the right decisions, using my extensive knowledge of all things Disney and offering tips and tricks for the optimal experience for you and your family. When you book your vacation through me you are able to do as much or as little of the planning as YOU want. The only thing that must go through me are payments. Some people feel that they lose control when booking with a Travel Agent, however that is not true at all… As your Vacation Planner Specializing in Disney Destinations I will never make changes without your permission, so you control what happens 100%.

I KNOW Disney

Unlike traditional Travel Agents or online self-serve websites, I have completed training specifically designed for Travel Agents Specializing in Disney Destinations by the Disney Travel Company, as well as continuing education including online training, resort tours, ship tours, personal experiences and more!

I LOVE Disney

I became a Vacation Planner Specializing in Disney Destinations because I love all things Disney and I love planning Disney vacations. I have planned many Disney vacations of my own and my experience, knowledge and LOVE of all things Disney always goes into my planning for every Guest.

I Am Knowledgeable About Disney

While I do book and plan other vacation destinations, my passion and focus is Disney and I am very knowledgeable when it comes to booking and planning a Disney vacation. I strive to stay current with everything new and exciting happening at all Disney theme parks as well as other Disney Destinations.

No Extra Fees

There’s no cost to you! As a Vacation Planner Specializing in Disney Destinations, I am paid a commission by Disney Travel Company for the vacations I book. Neither Disney nor I will add any extra fees to your cost when you book and plan through me! So you pay the same if you book on your own BUT you gain the benefit of my knowledge and expertise of all things Disney when you book through me!

You Save Time & Money

As your Vacation Planner Specializing in Disney Destinations my planning services save you time and money and I watch out for you! I will help with all of your planning including assistance with advance dining reservations and FastPass+ selections, touring tips, and more. PLUS, I know when new promotional offers become available and will automatically apply the best offer you qualify for, even if you are due a refund.

Award Winning Service / Knowledgeable Team

I work for an Earmarked Agency for Disney Destinations and there are only a select group in this elite classification of Authorized Disney Vacation Agencies. While other agencies may have one or two individuals with Disney experience, Authorized Disney Vacation Agencies have a large number of agents with extensive Disney experience so you will always benefit from a team of knowledgeable professionals when you book and plan through me. I am proud to be a member of this distinguished group and strive to meet the high expectations of every family that entrusts me to help book and plan their vacation!