Disney Cruise Line – The Perfect Choice for New Cruisers Are you looking for a unique vacation experience that blends entertainment and adventure with comfort and convenience? On a Disney Cruise, you and your loved ones will:
Explore a variety of desirable destinations in a short period of time.
Enjoy onboard activities, entertainment and dining options – most of which are included in the price of the cruise.
Save time by unpacking just once, as opposed to unpacking at several different hotels during a land-based vacation.
Discover these benefits, and many more, by embarking on a hassle-free vacation with Disney Cruise Line. Why Choose a Disney Cruise? There is truly something for everyone on a Disney Cruise – from relaxing “me” time for the adults to imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all. Every voyage includes the attention to detail and world-class hospitality that only Disney can provide. Activities: You will find a variety of activities at themed onboard venues designed to inspire and delight every member of the family. Dining: Guests will experience diverse menus, “rotating” through three uniquely-themed, elegant restaurants with the same wait staff to anticipate their needs and personal tastes. Enjoy expertly prepared dishes from filet mignon and lobster to other culinary delights from around the world. Options range from upscale table service and casual buffets to poolside dining, snacks and 24-hour room service – all included in the cruise fare. Entertainment: Enjoy Broadway-quality, original Disney musicals that can’t be seen anywhere else, special moments with Disney Characters, first-run Disney movies, uniquely themed celebrations on deck, a fireworks spectacular at sea and more! Disney Castaway Cay: Most Bahamian and Caribbean cruises include a stop at Castaway Cay, a private island paradise, reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. Service and Amenities: On a Disney Cruise Line vacation there’s so much included in the cruise fare! Plus, you will enjoy Disney’s renowned service and amenities throughout the ship, including:
World-class staterooms
All meals daily, including 24-hour complimentary room service, as well as complimentary soda, coffee and tea on deck
First run-films at sea, including some in digital 3D
Most voyages include fireworks at sea, weather permitting
Kid’s clubs filled with oceans of activities and amazing entertainment, including private clubs for tweens and teens
Exclusive areas for adults, including nightclubs, an exclusive pool and fitness center and more.
If you would be interested in more information for your first or fiftieth Disney Cruise, contact me today. My complimentary planning services will allow you to look forward to your vacation and not stress about details and deadlines. See ya Real Soon!
The Food & Wine Festival is back at Disney’s California Adventure. This delicious festival will begin tomorrow, February 28, 2020 and run through April 21, 2020. It is a fun & lighthearted even with some of the tastiest treats! Pick yourself up a Fodd & Wine Festival Passport and see what bites & sips are your favorite. Here are the menus, direct from Disney-
“Nuts About Cheese Marketplace
Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin® Sourdough Bowl (Vegetarian)
Impossible™ Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese (Vegetarian)
Oikos® Greek Yogurt Banoffee Tart
Honey Bourbon Lemonade (Alcoholic)
Uncork California Marketplace
California Artisan Cheese with Central Coast Creamery Holey Cow Swiss and Vintage Cheese Co. Cabernet Cheddar (Vegetarian)
White Wine Flight
Malibu Rocky Oaks, Sauvignon Blanc, California
Rombauer, Chardonnay, Carneros
Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sofia, Rosé, Monterey County
Red Wine Flight
Erath, Pinot Noir, Oregon
The Prisoner, Red Blend, Napa Valley
Quilt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Road Trip Mimosa Trio
Pacific Mimosa
Mojave Mimosa
Sierra Mimosa
Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California
Golden Dreams Marketplace
Brunch Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich with Mimosa-inspired Slaw and OJ Bubbles
Seared Verlasso® Salmon with Lemon Pea Purée, Black Rice and Meyer Lemon Relish (Gluten-Friendly)
Strawberry-Rose Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic)
Fig & Lavender Cold Brew (Non-Alcoholic)
California Craft Brews Marketplace
Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls
Triple B Cocktail with Beer, Bourbon and Berries (Alcoholic)
Beer Flight – Fun with Flavor
Mother Earth Orange Vanilla Cali Creamin’ Ale
Black Market Cucumber Sour
Golden Road Strawberry and Pomegranate Balboa Blonde Ale
Leading Role Lemonade – Gin with Lavender Lemonade (Alcoholic)
Opening Night Cocktail – Banana Whiskey with Cream Soda (Alcoholic)
Movie Star Mule – Whiskey with Black Cherry and Ginger Ale (Alcoholic)
On Location Libation – Stone Peak Conditions IPA with POG juice (Alcoholic)
Backlot Michelada – Tomato-based Michelada with Modelo (Alcoholic)
Modelo Especial Lager
Hangar 24 Passion Punch Gose
Stone Peak Conditions Hazy Double IPA
Honest Abe Limoncello Hard Cider
Bottle Logic Emerald City Raspberry Piña Colada Hard Seltzer
Supporting Role Lemonade – Lavender Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic)
Hollywood Churro Cart
Churro topped with Peanut Butter Cream, Chocolate Icing and Chopped Peanuts
Schmoozies!
Almond Mocha Shake
Almond Mocha Affogato
Sonoma Terrace
California Cheesesteak
Italian Meatball Sandwich
Bavarian Pretzel with Cheese Sauce
Triple Chocolate Brownie
Sandy Beach – Green Apple Vodka with flavors of Sea Salt Caramel (Alcoholic)
Catalina Island – Vodka and Passion Fruit with flavors of Raspberry Lemonade and Lime (Alcoholic)
Sparkling Greyhound – Vodka with flavors of Grapefruit, Chamomile and Cardamom (Alcoholic)
Pineapple Passion – White Rum with flavors of Pineapple and Passion Fruit (Alcoholic)
Firestone Walker Rosalie Beer Rosé
Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sofia, Brut Rosé, Monterey County
Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California
Selection of Craft Beers and Ciders
Pacific Wharf Coffee Cart
Tropicalifornia Tea Cocktail with Berry Vodka, Green Tea, Pineapple and Orange Juices (Alcoholic)
Fruitful Green Tea with Berry, Pineapple and Orange Juices (Non-Alcoholic)
Pacific Wharf Distribution Company
Karl Strauss® Crazy Eyes Doppelbock
Downtown Disney District Offerings
Ballast Point Brewing Co.
Impossible™ Lettuce Cups With Impossible™ Protein, Peppers, Hoisin, Sriracha, Garlic, Lime, Fresno Chilies and Hydroponic Lettuce
The Ballast Point Burger: 8 Oz Kobe & Chuck Blend Patty, Sharp Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, House-made Pickles, and Ballast Point Remoulade on a Brioche Bun served with Fries
Cioppino: PEI Mussels, Fish of the Day, Argentinean Shrimp, Spanish Chorizo, Stewed Tomatoes, Chili Flakes, Oregano, Crème Fraiche, Chili Thread, House-Made Pasta and Grilled Baguette
All Three Paired with Designated Beer Flight
Catal Restaurant
Smoked Salmon Crostini: Whipped Ricotta, Smoked Salmon and Basil Pesto
Burrata: Burrata, Prosciutto, and Balsamic Gastrique
Hand-shucked Oysters with Champagne and Black Pepper Mignonette
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Creole Cobbler with Beefeater Gin, Santhenay Crème de Peche, Fresh Lemon Juice, and Orange Bitter
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Surf & Turf Slider Duo: Salmon Slider featuring House-made Salmon Patty, Sriracha Aïoli, Red Onion, Butter Lettuce and Heirloom Tomato, and Filet Mignon Slider featuring Beef Tenderloin, Béarnaise Sauce, Arugula and Oven-Roasted Tomato
Salt & Straw
Apple Pie with Beecher’s Flagship Cheesecake: Warm-spiced Apple Pie Ice Cream with Beecher’s Flagship Cheddary Cheesecake”
There are so many delicious things to choose from, I do not know how one would fit it all in. This makes me very jealous of the locals! If you are fortunate enough to visit, c’mon back and tell us what your favorites are!
If you are looking to plan a trip to Disneyland, now is the perfect time! Pair this festival with a few great discounts they are offering and you will be set! Contact me today for a no-obligation quote. My planning services are complimentary and I am happy to assist as much or as little as you would like. Qualifying reservations will receive our Minnie Box – a great little surprise delivered to your family prior to your trip. See ya Real Soon!
The last Tuesday of January is National Plan for a Vacation Day. It comes at a perfect time – the holidays are over, the weather is miserable, and there are no school breaks to look forward to for a while.
Having a vacation planned gives families something to look forward to together. When we have a Disney trip planned, we do family movie nights each weekend. One night, we make diner together and watch a different Disney Movie. If I am feeling really crafty, I will plan the dinner around the movie – Spaghetti & meatballs with Lady & The Tramp, Hawaiian Chicken with Moana, Pizza with Toy Story, Beef & Broccoli with Mulan…etc. Even as my littles are not so little anymore, this is something we all look forward to through the week and gets us talking about or exciting trip ahead.
Planning ahead also has a lot of benefits – you can spread out payments over several months and have longer to save for all the fun treats & souvenirs. You can take advantage of promotions as they come along as long as there is availability. You also have a better chance of getting the resort/ship & room category you prefer before they sell out. Let’s not forget the 180-day advanced dining reservations that are so coveted. Planning ahead gives you all of these advantages and more!
Which Disney Destination will you visit in 2020? Maybe it is time to try something new?! If you cruise often but haven’t checked out a Disney Cruise, it is time you see why they win all the awards that they do year after year. If you visit Disney World each year, step out of the box! Visit the west coast and see Disneyland or try a Disney Cruise. Looking to travel abroad to where your ancestors are from? Adventures by Disney has amazing options all around the globe that will have you experiencing other countries like you never thought you could.
Contact me today so we can “Plan For A Vacation”! My planning services are free of charge and I can assist you with stress-free preparations for a Magical Trip. Let’s get you something to be excited about in 2020!
Great news for Disney World Travelers and Star Wars fans! They have now added Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run to the list of Fastpass+ Options!
Starting February 19th, guests can choose between Smuggler’s Run or Slinky Dog Dash as their Tier 1 Fastpass. (Pending availabiity). This also means that several attractions will be moving over to the Tier 2 Fastpass options: Toy Story Mania, Alien Swirling Saucers, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Fantasmic! and more.
Rise of the Resistance will still utilize the virtual queue for now.
As a reminder, you get one fastpass from Tier 1 and then two more Fastpasses from Tier 2. More on that HERE.
If this all seems overwhelming and you would like some assistance, I am happy to assist you with your Walt Disney World or any Disney Destination Vacation. My services are complimentary to my guests and you can sit back and enjoy the planning without any of the stress. Contact me today for a no-obligation quote! Qualifying reservations also receive our Minnie Box! A special gift tailored to your travel party sent to you before you arrival. See Ya Real Soon!
The International Festival of the Arts is now in full swing at Epcot. There are several events & exhibits that returned from 2019 and there are also many new things to look forward to!
New this year are Life-sizes frames of VanGogh’s Café Terrace at Night and Sunflowers paintings that you can step right into for an amazing photo opportunity.
There are 12 Food Studios that present artful bites & sips that may be too beautiful to consume. Some favorites that are set to return include The Artist’s Table Studio for the Sipping Chocolate Flight of white, milk and dark chocolate as well as the BLT from The Deconstructed Dish Studio. There are lots of new items that have been added to these menu’s this year so stay tuned for some favorites!
If music is one of your favorite forms of art, definitely check out the amazing talent nightly at the American Gardens Theater. The Disney on Broadway concert series is comprised of wonderful arts that have been featured in Disney films:
Jan. 17, 20, 21 and 24 – Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”)
Jan. 18, 19, 22 and 23 – Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”)
Jan. 25 – Special performance featuring Simmons, White, Blickenstaff and Lee
Jan. 26, 28, 29; Feb. 1, 2, 5 and 6 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
Jan. 27, 30, 31, Feb. 3, 4, 7 and 8 – Liana Hunt (“Newsies”) and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
Feb. 9 – Special performance featuring Lindsay, Massey, Hunt and Jacobs
Feb. 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22 and 23 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
Feb. 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 – Syndee Winters (“The Lion King”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
Feb. 24 – Special performance featuring Brown, Strickland, Winters and Scott
To secure seats to these performances in advance, you can reserve a Disney on Broadway Dining Package. This will guarantee you a seat on the day you dine in one of several Epcot restaurants and there is no additional cost for it.
Guests that are visiting the festival with little artists will want to check out the Green Landing Family Play Zone. This is a great area for littles to expend some energy while you sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Festival.
Another neat artistic addition to World Showcase for the Festival that the whole family can enjoy are images of Disney Characters that are hidden throughout the countries. Can you find Remy & Emile in France? What about Mushu in China? What other favorite Characters can you spot?
I will be visiting this festival in early February and cannot wait to come back with my experiences and photos. If you have any questions or would like to visit the International Festival of the Arts, contact me today! My planning services are free for my guests and it will save you time, stress, and possibly even money. See ya Real Soon!
In 2020, I am going to be doing monthly updates via Facebook Live. I am aiming for the second Sunday of every month but that may change in the case of a holiday (or a research-based Disney Trip). I would love for you to join me.
I will gather the information I learn directly from Disney each month and then hop on Facebook Live to share it all, answer questions, and explain anything that may need an explanation. It is a great way for you to keep up on updates, closures, refurbishments, discounts, and more.
This year’s Festival looks to be even bigger and better than last years. I wish I was heading there this season to join in the festivities and try all the bites and sips but it is not in the cards since I will be going in February and just left Disneyland last week. Someone will have to report back and share all the wonderful things they did and tried.
Here is a foodie guide direct from Disney:
“Feast of the Three Kings (Near the Mexico Pavilion):
Food Items:
Pastelón: Sofrito-marinated Beef with Sweet Plantains and Olives (GF)
Queso Fresco-stuffed Arepa topped with Shrimp, Crushed Avocado Aji and Tomato Sauce (GF)
Arepas topped with Melted Queso Fresco (GF, KA)
Tres Leches Rice Pudding with Pumpkin Seeds (GF)
Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
Beverages:
Coquito: Tropical Eggnog (non-alcoholic, KA)
M.I.A. Beer Company Tres Reyes Mango Golden, Doral, FL
Coquito: Tropical Eggnog with a Bacardi Gold Dark Rum Floater
Celebration Barbecue Pork with Steamed Rice and a Fortune Cookie
Chengdu Spicy Street Fries
Beverage Items:
Tsingtao Beer
Firework: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, Orange Juice and Soda Water
Marco Boba: Amaretto, Iced Coffee, Milk and Boba
The Lucky Mo: Peach Schnapps, Peach Syrup, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice and Coconut Milk
Norway- Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway Pavilion):
Traditional Holiday Rice Cream
Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion):
Food Items:
Giant Tostada de Puerco: Braised Pork served on a Giant Tostada with
Chipotle Black Bean Spread, Guajillo Sauce, Queso Fresco, Crema
Mexicana, Pickled Onion, and topped with Chicharrón Dust (GF)
Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa with
Yellow Mole and topped with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Queso Cotija and
Crema Mexicana (GF, KA)
Horchata Cheesecake: Creamy Rice Cheesecake served with Cajeta Sauce
Beverages:
Holiday Cider: Hard Apple Cider with Cinnamon-infused Tequila
Mexican Fruit Punch: Mezcal, Red Wine, and Blackcurrant Liqueur
infused with Star Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger and Orange Peel (served
warm)
Horchata Margarita: Tequila, Horchata Rum, Cinnamon Whisky, and Agua de Horchata served on the rocks
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company:
Future World East: Choco-Latte: Latte with Chocolate Sauce and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
Canada: Ginger Chai Madness: Chai Latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Gingerbread Syrup
Showcase Plaza: Coconut Snowstorm: Latte with RumChata and Coconut Syrup
If you would like to schedule a last minute trip down there for a nice long weekend, let me know! We can set you up with a great vacation package and some wonderful tips to make the most of this great festival. Happy Holidays!
Epcot International Festival of the Arts is set to return for 2020. It will kick off on January 17 and run through February 24. This festival is a celebration of Art and how different cultures celebrate it through many different expressions including visual, culinary, and performing arts.
During this event, guests can experience art through the Broadway Concert Series, different culinary kiosks where food seems to jump right off the painters palate, view many different Disney artist’s work, as well as let their inner artist show. It is a fun event and entrance is included with your admission.
Disney on Broadway
The Disney on Broadway Concert series starts off with the beautiful music from “The Lion King”. The talent for this year is bountiful. Here is the schedule:
Jan. 17, 20, 21, 24 and 25 – Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”)
Jan. 18, 19, 22, 23 and 25 – Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid”; “Freaky Friday”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”) Jan. 25 – Special performance featuring Simmons, White, Blickenstaff and Lee
Jan. 26, 28, 29; Feb. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
Feb. 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”; “Beauty and the Beast”) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
Additional dates & artists still to be announced so stay tuned!
New for 2020
A new Brunch will be offered at Le Cellier in the Canada Pavilion. Reservations are required.
Purchase beautiful art throughout World Showcase
Visit and observe artists that are creating right in front of you
Family Fun
The “Green Landing” Family play zone where guests of all ages can explore an area dedicated to Wall-E & Eve
Several different photo opportunities where guests can “jump right in” to some of their favorite stories
Add color to a beautiful wall mural located along World Showcase Plaza
Take part in a fun scavenger hunt featuring my favorite; Figment! Travel through World Showcase and find Figment. Hint: He has painted himself into some very famous paintings
Create your own artwork!
If you are interested in visiting Disney World and any of Epcot’s wonderful festivals, contact me today! I would be happy to assist in planning your amazing vacation and my services are always free. See ya real soon!
Give the wonderful gift of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa to your family this Holiday Season! This resort in Ko Olina, Hawai’i is a beautiful place to spend a magical vacation with your O’Hana! With the promotions Disney has been offering and the new flights through Southwest Airlines, this vacation is more affordable than ever!
New Aulani Offer:
Save up to 30% on 5 nights of stay or more or 25% on 4 nights when you stay from March 1-June 13, 2020 when you reserve by May 8. (Talk about a great getaway for Spring Break!!)
Book by January 8 and guests will receive a $250 resort credit on 5+ nights of stay and $150 resort credit on 4 nights of stay.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is a breathtaking setting for the most amazing family vacation. There is fun for the whole family and the amenities and recreation are first class. Read more about the resort HERE.
For more information on Aulani and this promotion or to reserve your stay, contact me today! My planning services are free of charge and I can save you time and money! I look forward to hearing from you! Aloha!
For the seventh year in a row, Disney Cruise Line has taken the #1 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Cruise Line Rankings. That is a major accomplishment and to hit it 7 years in a row is a testament to just how magical Disney Cruise Line really is!
Disney Cruise Line ears this award year after year for a few simple reasons:
The Disney Name – You know you are getting top of the line service, food, accommodations, and activities because it is all backed by the Disney Name. They make sure that every aspect of your Cruise is as magical as possible. They truly care about every detail and the way they are perceived.
The Disney Activities – Whether you are the youngest or oldest of Disney Fans, there is something for everyone. The Broadway-Style shows are breathtaking, the experiences & meals with the characters are so special, the pampering is unmatched and the deck parties are unprecedented. Disney does everything with the Disney touch and if you love Disney World or Disneyland for the magical feeling you get, then this should be your very next vacation. Plus, it is not just for families or younger children. The ships that Disney is building have whole sections dedicated to adults including lounges & bars, spas, and pool areas including one with the bar stools in the water! It is that magical Disney touch that is added to every aspect & activity of an amazing vacation that can take you to many parts of the US, Caribbean, and Europe.
The Rooms – The rooms on this cruise line are among the largest for their categories. They give you more space and more storage. They also have SPLIT BATHROOMS! If you have ever cruised with someone who takes a little longer to shower or get ready, you know how valuable this is. You have a shower and a sink in one room and a sink with a potty in another. Twice the space to get ready = happy family members.
Special Sailings – Disney Cruise Line provides several different themed cruises throughout the year. They include Halloween & Christmas Sailings but also Character themed sailings like Marvel & Star Wars Days at Sea. More info on those Here.
Value – Yes, Disney Cruises are more expensive than some other commercial lines. However, those other lines cannot begin to offer the what Disney does. You truly get what you pay for in this instance. The cast & crew, the meals, the shows, the kids clubs, the activities, deck parties, excursions, rooms, cleanliness (Lowest report of viruses in the industry due to their diligence), and the magic make it worth every penny.
Don’t take my word for it – Try it! Even the shortest of cruises will have you wanting to return. Oh, and that is another amazing part about Disney Cruise Line; their loyalty and benefits for repeat customers is like no other cruise line. They want you to return and they show it with all of the perks they offer.
Contact me today for more information or to reserve your Disney Cruise. My planning services are free of charge and my knowledge and position can save you time and money. Plus, every cruise guest receives our Minnie Box delivered to their doorstep before you leave for your cruise! I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Turning Dreams Into Memories 