travel – Page 4 – Doug Travels Orlando

The Disney Wonder

Published on March 26, 2018 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I recently returned from my first experience on the Disney Wonder, this was my final new Disney Cruise ship experience until the new ships debut in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

There are so many things that I enjoy about sailing with Disney Cruise Line… large staterooms with under-bed space, exceptional dining experiences, friendly and accommodating crew, brilliant Broadway-like entertainment, Castaway Cay and I can’t forget the Towel Art – a fun treat when you return to your stateroom each evening!
On a Disney Cruise, you experience rotational dining. I enjoy getting to know the dining team while also being able to experience different dining options. As this was my first experience on the Disney Wonder, I also enjoyed 2 new dining experiences – Triton’s and Tiana’s Place. While Animator’s Palette is still my favorite of the rotational dining options, Triton’s and Tiana’s Place did not disappoint. I dined at Animator’s Palette on my final night so breakfast on disembark day was also at Animator’s Palette.
While I have toured the other stateroom types, we have always chosen a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and we prefer the starboard side so that we have a great view of the island when we arrive at Castaway Cay. The staterooms are good sized with under-bed storage for your luggage. We have never felt crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney – and the Disney Wonder was no exception. This was a 3-night cruise, but I still enjoyed 2 ports of call – Nassau and Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay is always my favorite port of call and I especially love the “double-dip” sailings that offer 2 full days at Castaway Cay – I will need to get back on one of those sailings soon! And, if you have read some of my other blogs, fireworks are a big deal to me, Disney is the only cruise line that is granted permission to display fireworks at sea.

While I did not have a day at sea during this cruise, I was still able to enjoy the ship – character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, recently released movies, pools, water slides, walk up dining, entertainment, deck parties, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia, unlimited room service – it’s all included!! The onboard Pub even offers a buffet of light snacks early evening with another buffet for late night snacks later each night. There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type and you won’t go hungry!

As I mentioned, Castaway Cay is my favorite port of call when cruising with Disney and it was a perfect island day – not too hot, sunny skies and low wind!! The tide even washed out a bit to create a sand bar that was easily reachable by walking into the ocean and we were able to see beautiful starfish and stingray there!
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and is consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call and it’s reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. The ships will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing. Bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails. While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go. Dining is also included at Castaway Cay as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. And there are even some special character meet & greets on the island too!
I am a runner and, weather permitting, Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on every stop at Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services once onboard your cruise. Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am, and participants are the first Guests off the ship at Castaway Cay This is a very casual fun experience worth the early wake-up!
Families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers a secluded beach exclusively for adults – Serenity Bay. Your “Key to the World” card works for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each.

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wear sun dresses and flip flops while my husband wears shorts and polos – we do dress up a bit for dinner but “cruise casual” attire is appropriate for dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dining experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes.

Are you ready for YOUR Disney Cruise experience?

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Toy Story Land – Opening June 30, 2018

Published on March 14, 2018 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

This Summer, Get Ready to Play Big in a New Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

I was invited to a special industry showcase hosted by the Walt Disney Company to learn all about the park-wide reimagination for Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

In this NEW eleven-acre playland in the larger-than-life setting of Andy’s imagination, Andy has designed the perfect play space decorated with more than 400 toy blocks and towering toys from the hit Toy Story franchise.

Toy Story Land also brings the addition of new attractions to Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

Slinky Dog Dash, with a 38” height requirement, this is a family-friendly toy-filled coaster that twists around curves, hills and drops.

Alien Swirling Saucers, with a height requirement of 32”, is designed to be your very own toy rocket. Hang on tight as the Aliens take you on a spin through space. But, watch out, you may be “chosen” by the Claw!

BOTH of these new attractions will be eligible for FastPass+

The entrance to Toy Story Land is near Toy Story Mania!, which remains one of the top attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Toy Story experience that stared it all!

And don’t forget about the food… As “honorary toys” you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Woody’s Lunch Box. This new dining experience will be a Quick Service option and will accept the Disney Dining Plans. Woody’s Lunch Box features classic American fare, old-fashioned soda floats and other Toy Story-themed specialties with tasty treats like three-cheese grilled cheese and a banana split parfait. Be sure to check My Disney Experience for updated menu information.

So buckle up your space ranger utility belt, set your lasers for big fun and get ready for the biggest play date of all time – June 30, 2018!

Toy Story Land—where kids of all ages can play and experience new adventures.

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Disney Magic– Marvel Day at Sea

Published on March 5, 2018 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I recently returned from my first experience on a Marvel Day at Sea cruise on the Disney Magic.

This was my second experience on the Disney Magic and I cruised just before the ship goes in to dry dock for a few updates – most notable, reimagining Carioca’s into Rapunzel’s Royal Table! But more about that once I cruise on the refurbished Disney Magic…

This was also my first 5-night itinerary, with 2 days at sea and a first visit to Cozumel – lots of firsts with this cruise experience!

Since we had just sailed on the Disney Magic in December, we knew our way around the ship and, even though we did not have the same stateroom as December, we were lucky enough to have the services of our same stateroom Hostess, Esther. She was always so friendly and accommodating, taking care of our every need – even things we didn’t know we needed – and she creates the best Towel Art!
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One of the things we love about a Disney Cruise is the rotational dining. It’s fun to get to know your server team but to also be able to experience different dining options. As this was a 5-night cruise, we were able to experience Animator’s Palette twice – it’s my favorite in the rotational dining options. And, this time, we dined at Lumiere’s on our final night so our breakfast on disembark day was also at Lumiere’s.

While I have toured the other stateroom types, we have always chosen a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and we prefer the starboard side so that we have a great view of the island when we arrive at Castaway Cay. The staterooms are good sized with under-bed storage for your luggage and we have never felt crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney, even on the smaller ships. My favorite feature is the elevated bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items.

This Marvel Day at Sea sailing offered Marvel Character Meet & Greets and entertainment in addition to the normal onboard fun! We signed up in advance for meet & greets with several characters – including Black Panther – and then met some without “reservations”. [Rich_Web_Slider id=”10″] There were also characters roaming about the ship during our Marvel Day at Sea and an evening show with fireworks – Disney is the only cruise line that is granted permission to display fireworks at sea. [if you have read some of my other blogs, fireworks are a big deal to me!]

Even though this was a 5-night cruise, we only had 2 ports of call – Castaway Cay and Cozumel. While Castaway Cay is always my favorite port of call, Cozumel was a new experience for us. We were able to check out some “local” shops and also found a restaurant chain that we frequent back home.
While our Marvel Day at Sea was filled with lots of Marvel fun, on our second day at sea we were more able to enjoy the ship – movies, pools, water slides, games, dining, entertainment – it’s all included.

We also signed up in advance for the Mixology session during our second day at sea. It was a very fun and informative session and, for $20.00 per person, the price was great as it included the 5 adult beverages that were featured during the session. I highly recommend any of the adult beverage sessions offered during a Disney Cruise.
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Castaway Cay is my favorite port of call when cruising with Disney!! Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and is consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call and it’s reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. The ships will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing. Bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails. While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go.

We are runners and, weather permitting, Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on every stop at Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services once onboard your cruise. Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am, and participants are the first Guests off the ship at Castaway Cay. This is a very casual fun experience worth the early wake-up!

Your “Key to the World” card works for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each. Dining is also included as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers “adult only” areas at Castaway Cay – Serenity Bay, a secluded beach exclusively for adults. After our 5K and lunch I spent my afternoon on Castaway Cay laying in a hammock on Serenity Bay – it was a simply amazing day and a great way to kick off our cruise!

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wore sun dresses and flip flops while my husband wore shorts and polos – we did dress up a bit for dinner but “cruise casual” attire is appropriate for dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dining experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes. We enjoy the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, experiencing a different restaurant and menu with the same servers each evening. And, unlimited room service is also included!!
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In addition to exceptional dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers many entertainment options including Broadway-like musical productions, viewings of recently released Disney movies, character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, deck parties, water slides and pools, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia and so much more! O’Gills Pub even offers a buffet of light snacks early evening with another buffet for late night snacks later each night. There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type and you won’t go hungry!

And be sure to give a big wave to Goofy as you disembark, he’s busy helping the crew prepare the ship for the next cruise…

From January to early March, 2019, 10 special five-night Disney Magic sailings will take Guests to the Caribbean and Bahamas, along with an action-packed, day-long celebration of the Marvel Universe during Marvel Day at Sea.

The event features all-day entertainment including interactions with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes who oppose them, an extraordinary deck show spectacular, Marvel-themed youth activities, special merchandise and unique food and beverage offerings.

Marvel Day at Sea 2019 will only be on Disney Magic five-night Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Miami, departing Jan. 6, 11, 20, 25, Feb. 3, 8, 17, 22, March 3 and 8.

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Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Published on January 15, 2018 in Orlando/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

I have eaten at many of the Signature Dining locations on Disney property, with plans to try the rest very soon – but they keep adding more!

Narcoossee’s, located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, was definitely a favorite! The venue is not very large, and the restaurant location is a bit hidden, but it does offer a panoramic view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant from the waterfront verandah.

Narcoossee’s offers steak and seafood – including whole-steamed Maine lobster. And, like all Walt Disney World Resort restaurants, a tasty kids menu too! Dining Plans are accepted and this Signature Dining experience requires 2 meal entitlements per person.

I shared my dining experience with my husband and a good friend. To start, we ordered the Artisan Romaine Wedge with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, Herbed Mascarpone, Tomato, Avocado, and Parmesan along with the Shrimp and Crab Cake with a Creamy Rémoulade Sauce and Red Quinoa-Cabbage Slaw. Both were visually appealing and well prepared.

Our entrees were both sea & land selections and we shared the Narcoossee’s Signature Mashed Potatoes made with Boniato-Russet Mash, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Tillamook Cheddar, Scallions. This dish was excellent! The portion size was large, the potatoes were perfectly prepared, the bacon was thick and very flavorful and it was hot when delivered to our table.

For our main courses we chose Benne-crusted Herbidean Salmon with Haricot Verts, Vidalia Onion Soubise, and Peanut Romesco and the Grilled Grass Fed Filet Mignon with Yukon Gold Rustic Mash, Seasonal Vegetable, Red Wine-Oxtail Reduction – the filet was my choice and I requested the Roasted Brussel Sprouts in place of the Seasonal Vegetables. I am particular about my Brussel Sprouts and these were some of the best that I have had on property and my steak was cooked to perfection!

We all chose to skip dessert, although there were many sumptuous offerings that sounded very tempting – especially the ‘Narcoossee’s Candy Bar’ – a Dark Chocolate-Mocha Bar with House-made Guanaja Chocolate Gelato!

In addition to a delicious meal, we were pleased to learn that Narcoossee’s also carries a couple of our favorite adult beverages – Innis & Gunn Rum Cask Oak Aged Beer for my husband and Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon for me.

If you are planning to visit Walt Disney World Resort, I highly recommend Narccoossee’s for food, service and atmosphere.

Reservations are recommended at this and all Signature Dining experience restaurants and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit. Menus are subject to change.

All Signature Dining experiences at Walt Disney World Resort have a ‘business casual’ dress code…
Men may wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jackets are optional.
Women may wear dresses, skirts or dress shorts with blouses or sweaters.
Not permitted in the dining room are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and shirts with offensive language or graphics.

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Minnie Van Service – Walt Disney World Resort

Published on August 29, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Have you heard about the new Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World? I recently had the opportunity to experience this new way to get around property.

*UPDATED: September 17, 2018 – Check back for future updates. With the new Minnie Van service, all vehicles are driven by Disney Cast Members and the vans are owned and operated by Disney. Service is offered from 6:30 am – 12:30 am daily (subject to change). Currently, you use your Lyft app to request a ride. Disney has a fleet of Minnie Vans and offers rides from all resorts and locations on property, and plans to add the service to the My Disney Experience (MDE) app. It’s a good idea to have a Lyft account already set up on your phone before arriving for your vacation. New pricing went into effect mid-September 2018 – The flat rate of $15.00 plus a per mile fee will get you anywhere on property and, if you would like to tip your Disney Cast Member, tipping is also available through the Lyft app. See below for sample pricing from three resorts on property to Magic Kingdom.

Note: Once on Disney property, your Lyft app should offer the Minnie Van service as a vehicle option – scroll through the regular Lyft options to “MORE”. If you don’t see the Minnie Van option, just inquire at the front desk, any Cast Member at Bell Services or the front lobby desk can assist you with set up and questions. Once you are set up with the service, you are ready to request your first ride!

You should plan to reserve your ride about 15 minutes before your preferred pick-up time as wait times can be 15-20 minutes. The standard Minnie Vans will seat up to 6 guests and all carry 2 car seats and each will accommodate rear facing up to booster.

Vans are configured with bucket seats in the front row, captain’s chairs in the second row, and a third row bench seat that is best suited for your little ones or smaller adults. All vans offer phone charging via USB ports, and rear seat climate controls to help you adjust the temperate to your liking. And our driver even had Disney music on the radio!

If you require a mobility van, which will accommodate one mobility scooter/vehicle and up to a total of 8 guests, you will need to ask the front desk to request this type of van for you. There are 2 mobility vans currently in the fleet.

The Minnie Vans will only provide service on Disney property and they will make multiple stops if needed – for example, if you originate at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and you have friends staying at Pop Century that you would like to stop and pick up – as long as you are all going to the same destination and you all fit in one vehicle you’re set! The Minnie Vans will also make quick stops (around 5 minutes) at non-Disney locations on property, such as gas stations and McDonald’s. **UPDATED**The Disney Minnie Van service, is also now available for travel to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO) for guests staying at any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Unlike the regular Minnie Van service, however, Minnie Van airport shuttle service reservations must be made by calling 407-WDW-PLAY, not through the Lyft app. The shuttle service is available for flight arrivals from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and for flight departures from 9 a.m. to midnight. Each Minnie Van can hold up to six passengers and eight medium-sized suitcases. Up to three complimentary car seats can also be provided and ADA accessible vehicles are available. The price is $150.00 one way.**UPDATED** If you are headed to experience the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, your Minnie Van will drop you off right at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort so you can skip the bus. At Magic Kingdom, they drop off and pick up at Bus Stop #8 in the bus loop – however, the Lyft app will show Ticket & Transportation Center.

At the larger resorts, the Minnie Van will pick up and drop off close to your room. And, if you take a Minnie Van to a destination on property from your designated originating resort you can absolutely request a return ride! If you happen to lose any items during your Minnie Van ride, they will try to get your Lost & Found items back to the location closest to where you were dropped off or originated from.

I would definitely suggest trying the Minnie Van service, especially for early morning dining reservations, signature dining experiences where you a bit more dressed up or getting back to your resort at park closing after a full day of parks. It’s quick and convenient and, well, it’s just FUN to ride in that red polka dot Minnie Van!! I invite you use my offer code for discounted rides with Lyft. Lyft: WISHWITHCRYSTAL – Redeem offer at https://www.lyft.com/invite/WISHWITHCRYSTAL *UPDATED: September 17, 2018 – Check back for future updates.

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The Pirates League – Magic Kingdom

Published on June 19, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Show your Pirate side the next time you visit Magic Kingdom park!

Similar to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience, which is for ages 3-12, The Pirates League is a makeover experience that the whole family (ages 3 and up) can enjoy together! Choose from pirate, empress or mermaid options, all with coordinating accessories to complete your makeover.
Most pirate packages include facial makeup and hair, sword and The Pirates League logo sash, reversible bandana, earring and eye patch, The Pirates League bag, temporary pirate tattoo, unique pirate coin necklace, pirate’s key, official pirate name and personalized pirate oath. The mermaid packages include luminous mermaid makeup and makeup palette and nail polish, mermaid hairstyle and color-changing hair clip, distinctive mermaid necklace, mermaid sash and bracelet.

Our little pirate chose the zombie pirate makeover because it was scary. Your first task for your makeover is to determine your pirate name by spinning a wheel which turns a treasure chest to roll the dice. The numbers on the dice lead you to your pirate name. Our zombie’s official pirate name was ‘Benjamin Sharkstench’.

All of the ‘Pirate Masters’ are friendly and very good with the little ones, telling jokes and sharing pirate stories as they transform your pirate. If it’s your birthday, be sure to let them know and they whole crew will sing you a pirate birthday song!

Once your makeover is complete, you are sworn in to The Pirates League and taken to a hidden chamber where your Pirate Master will surprise you with a bit of pirate treasure.

Our little pirate enjoyed this makeover experience. One of his favorite parts was that during our day in the park everyone was looking at him and commented how awesome his face paint was.

For the money and the experience, I highly recommend this makeover. It’s much easier to confirm a reservation than the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and adults can participate too – I think, one day soon, my husband and I might just have our own pirate makeover experience!

The Pirates League is located between the entrance of Pirates of the Caribbean and Plaza del Sol Bazaar. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days in advance, packages start at $39.95. Options for the basic pirate and mermaid packages can even include an entire pirate or mermaid outfit, for an additional charge.

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Disney Cruise Line – Holiday Cruises

Published on June 5, 2017 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

It’s never too early for holiday shopping and I can help you give the perfect gift this year!

Now is the time to book YOUR holiday cruise with Disney!

Itineraries now available through January 2019.

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Pandora – The World of Avatar – My Nighttime Experience

Published on May 30, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park opened May 27, 2017 bringing a flight simulator based-banshee attraction and boat ride through the landscape of Pandora. I experienced a preview of this amazing new land earlier in May and was there on opening day to experience the new entertainment and nighttime Pandora.

Entertainment on Pandora – The World of Avatar is focused around a Na’vi-built drum circle, containing instruments you can play, Na’vi totems and other cultural items found throughout the land. Swotu Wayä – which means “Sacred Place of Song” – is located in the heart of Mo’ara Valley and has the most beautiful backdrop of any stage at Walt Disney World! Performances are fun and interactive with a message of peace and can be seen every hour on the half starting at 10:30 am until 30 minutes before Pandora closes.
*Please check Time Guides for updated performance times.

Once darkness falls, the many unique and exotic plants of Pandora come to life with their beautiful bioluminescence in many different shades and patterns – even the ground you walk on is full of beautiful color!

Look for interactive experiences throughout the land too – floating plants that respond to your arm movements and more. And it’s not only the colors that will surprise you, even the sounds of this amazing land change after sunset. As you move through Pandora at night you can occasionally hear the calls and footsteps of the many fantastic beasts that populate the nearby mountains.

On opening day, Walt Disney World also introduced mobile ordering – only available at Satu’li Canteen. Simply find a table at the canteen area and, using your My Disney Experience Mobile App, you can easily place your order for food and beverage and will be notified via your app when your order is ready. You will only need to know your order number for pick-up. Currently, to use Mobile Order, your MDE account must have a credit card linked and all charges will be applied to the linked credit card – Disney Dining Plans and Gift Cards are not accepted. Mobile Order will expand to other quick service locations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park this summer – and hopefully property-wide soon after!

For a limited time, now thru July 4, 2017, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will be open from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, giving you more time than ever to explore Pandora – The World of Avatar.
And for Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels there will be “Extra” Extra Magic Hours—available exclusively in Pandora – The World of Avatar from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM, May 27 to July 4, 2017 AND July 4 to August 19, 2017 from 10:00 PM to Midnight! There’s still time to book your summer vacation and experience Pandora – The World of Avatar for these special resort Guest benefits!

Be sure to read about my preview experience on Pandora – The World of Avatar too!

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The Disney Fantasy – A Disney Cruise Line Ship

Published on May 29, 2017 in Disney Cruise Line by Crystal Boston

I just returned from my Disney Cruise Line vacation on the inaugural sailing of the Disney Fantasy after dry dock and WOW – the Disney Fantasy is a magical ship!

It’s been 2 ½ years since my last cruise and I was ready! This was my first experience on the Disney Fantasy and I was excited to experience the ship and learn about everything new.

My husband was cruising with me and we chose a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah for our first Disney Fantasy experience.

Disney Cruise Line has thought of everything to ensure first-rate comfort and convenience during your voyage. The verandah is a private sanctuary where you can watch the sun rise, bask in ocean breezes and enjoy your morning coffee or an evening beverage. We have never felt cramped or crowded in our stateroom when cruising with Disney. The Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah design features include:
– A sitting area with a couch, TV and desk
– A heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas
– A “split bath” (in most) that includes a bathroom with a vanity, sink, shower and tub and a half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet
– A leather-upholstered ottoman with hollow inside storage
– Cabinets with storage space in the living area
– And my favorite feature – Elevated wooden bed frames for under-bed storage of suitcases and other large items
For the kids (or kids at heart), a mural of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her brothers soaring through a starry sky reveals itself when the upper-berth bed is pulled down!

This inaugural sailing included 2 full days on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, consistently rated by Disney Guests as their favorite port of call – and MY favorite port of call when cruising with Disney!! Castaway Cay is reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers and the ship will dock right at the island to allow you to come and go as you please while enjoying experiences such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing and bicycles can also be rented if you want to explore the island’s nature trails.

While all areas of the island can be reached by walking, an island tram offers four stops to help you easily get where you want to go.

Your “Key to the World” card will work for all purchases on Castaway Cay except at the local post office where you can send mail to your loved ones back home with a Bahamian postage stamp; the post card postage rate is approximately $0.65 USD each.
Dining is also included as part of your cruise package with covered outdoor restaurants serving burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase and, if you are traveling without children, Disney offers “adult only” areas at Castaway Cay – Serenity Bay is a secluded beach exclusively for adults (where you just might encounter Captain Jack Sparrow strolling the beach!) and families can have fun together at the Castaway Family Beach.

We are runners and Disney Cruise Line offers a 5K on Castaway Cay. It’s very informal but you do get race bibs and a medal at the finish line. If you want to participate in the 5K on Castaway Cay, you can register at Guest Services when you board your cruise.

Your registration ticket, “Key to the World” and photo ID are required the day of your event to participate. The 3.1-mile out-and-back event is free and family friendly; it’s open to walkers and runners ages 10 and older. The race takes place first thing in the morning on the island, typically with a meeting time onboard of 8 am. The vibe of the event is casual, a fun experience worth the early wake-up!

Cruising with Disney is a very casual experience – I wore simple dresses and flip flops while my husband wore shorts and polos – even to dinner. The only exceptions are if you reserve adult only dinging experiences at Palo or Remy which both have dress codes. We enjoy the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, experiencing a different restaurant and menu with the same servers each evening. And, unlimited room service is also included!!

In addition to exceptional dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers many entertainment options including Broadway-like musical productions, viewings of recently released Disney movies, character meet & greets that you often cannot find at the parks, deck parties, dance clubs, karaoke, trivia and so much more!

A few new experiences now offered on the Disney Fantasy include Sweet on You, Tiffany & Co., and something just for kids, Star Wars: Command Post and Marvel Super Hero Academy.

Indulge in frozen desserts that satisfy your confectionary cravings at Sweet on You, a specialty ice cream emporium located just outside Cabana’s featuring 20 hand-crafted gelatos, 16 ice cream flavors, 32 toppings, homemade chocolate, truffles, a large selection of candy and more!

Disney Cruise Line now hosts the world’s premier jewelry and iconic American luxury brand, Tiffany & Co., with an exclusive store aboard the Disney Fantasy. Indulge your most dazzling fantasies and peruse Tiffany’s timeless designs and discover why that little blue box is known around the globe!

At Disney’s Oceaneer Club young cruisers can experience Star Wars: Command Post and Marvel Super Hero Academy.

There is definitely enough to keep you busy on a Disney Cruise if you aren’t the lounging at the pool or beach type.

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Pandora – The World of Avatar

Published on May 15, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is scheduled to open May 27, 2017 bringing a flight simulator based banshee attraction and boat ride through the landscape of Pandora. I recently experienced a preview of this amazing new land!

As you enter, you walk through the Valley of Mo’ara and the enormous floating mountains are all around you. The valley is also home to many unique species of plants that can only be found on Pandora. There is a Na’vi-built drum circle, containing instruments you can play, Na’vi totems and other cultural items found throughout the land as well as two new Wilderness Explorers challenges with badges to collect.

This new land also offers 2 new ride experiences as well as a new quick service dining option and a new beverage stand and, of course, Pandora – The World of Avatar themed shopping experiences too!

Avatar Flight of Passage is an exhilarating, 3D ride where you fly on the back of a mountain banshee offering you a breathtaking, first-person flight over the moon’s incredible landscape. This experience is for those 44” and taller and is quite a thrilling ride. Once you enter, there is a pre-experience que similar to DINOSAUR that is narrated by video conferencing but that is also interactive. Once you enter the flight room you mount your own banshee and prepare to take flight. Many have compared this experience to Soarin’ but it is SO MUCH MORE! This is not just a view of the World of Avatar, this ride truly immerses you in the land! FastPass+ is highly recommended for this new experience. After our flight we were able to tour the standby que so even if you don’t have FastPass+, the standby que is quite amazing in itself.

Na’vi River Journey is a boat ride that takes you on a journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. This is an experience the whole family can enjoy and is similar to boat experiences at the other Walt Disney World parks. The boats each have two rows that will comfortably seat 4 Guests each. After coasting through a series of caves, and passing by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures of the rainforest, you’ll soon find yourself face-to-face with the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. Your adventure comes to a conclusion as the Shaman demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music.

The new Pandora – World of Avatar dining and beverage options are Satu’li Canteen and Pongu Pongu, meaning “Party Party” in the language of the Na’vi.
Both offer themed menu items with Satu’li Canteen offering Quick Service dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Pongu Pongu offering a quick stop for themed beverages. Of course, my favorite treat on the menu was the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse!

For Pandora – The World of Avatar themed shopping, this new land offers Windtraders, which is the exit for Avatar Flight of Passage where you can choose from Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more.

And Colors of Mo’arais, a retail kiosk that also offers Na’vi-inspired face-painting.

Maximize your time at Pandora – The World of Avatar with extended theme park hours, “Extra” Extra Magic Hours for resort Guests and FastPass+!
For a limited time, May 27 to July 4, 2017, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will be open from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, giving you more time than ever to explore Pandora – The World of Avatar.
And for Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels there will be “Extra” Extra Magic Hours—available exclusively in Pandora – The World of Avatar from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM, May 27 to July 4, 2017 AND July 4 to August 19, 2017 from 10:00 PM to Midnight!
There’s still time to book your summer vacation and experience Pandora – The World of Avatar for these exclusive benefits offered only to resort Guests! Request Your Today!

*TIP: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey are both Tier 1 FastPass+ selections at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. If you are only planning for one day at this park, I highly recommend FastPass+ for Avatar Flight of Passage and doing Na’vi River Journey as standby. However, if you are a resort Guest the “Extra” Extra Magic Hours may give you the opportunity to do both without FastPass+.

Check HERE to read about my nighttime experience on Pandora – The World of Avatar which comes to life with beautiful bioluminescence each night!

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LOTS OF DISNEY, ORLANDO AND PLACES THEREABOUTS !!

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The Disney Wonder

Toy Story Land – Opening June 30, 2018

Disney Magic– Marvel Day at Sea

Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Minnie Van Service – Walt Disney World Resort

The Pirates League – Magic Kingdom

Disney Cruise Line – Holiday Cruises

Pandora – The World of Avatar – My Nighttime Experience

The Disney Fantasy – A Disney Cruise Line Ship

Pandora – The World of Avatar

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