#Adulting · Animal Kingdom · Characters/Meet & Greets · Disney Characters · Disney Dining · Disney Princesses · Disney Shows · Disney Springs · Disney Travel Tip · Disney World Resort · Epcot · Hollywood Studios · Magic Kingdom · Meg the Travel Agent · Trip Report · Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Trip Report

July 6, 2019 WDW Dreams Into MemoriesLeave a comment

July 2019

We got engaged at Disney, we Honeymooned there – it was time for another milestone trip. Our first trip in 10 years without our littles for our 10th Anniversary.

Resort Review

We arrived late afternoon to our home away from home for the weekend – the Polynesian. This was our first time staying here. We absolutely loved it and may or may not be thinking of joining DVC because of our stay here. The experience, amenities, and customer service were definitely elevated at this resort.

From the moment you check in and you get your Leis, you feel like part of their Ohana. We left our bags will Bell Services and went to check out our room. We had a balcony on the third floor in the Fiji Building (which was exactly what I requested when I called Disney with my room preferences; yay for Travel Agents!). It was beautiful. It was diagonal from the Great Ceremonial House where the restaurants, shops, & Monorail Platform are. Super close! Our view was of Bay Lake, the beach, and gardens. I spent each morning reading on that balcony and we sat out there one night to watch a beautiful storm pass through.

We enjoyed the beach & view of Magic Kingdom. Two of the nights we were able to watch the Fireworks over Magic Kingdom from the beach. Once was Happily Ever After and the other was the 4th of July Fireworks. We also saw the Electric Light Parade which I have enjoyed since I was a young child and I am SO glad they still show it each night.

We took full advantage of what the resort had to offer. We shopped in both shops at the resort. Between the two they have a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, toys, as well as things you would need that you may have forgotten at home, drinks, snacks, and more. The one thing I was looking for that I couldn’t find (a certain pair of earrings), a cast member looked in their inventory and found them for me at a shop in Epcot and had them for me the following day. Amazing service! We swam in both pools but we preferred the Lava Pool. The Oasis pool was beautiful but much more quiet. We liked the buzz and excitement of the Lave pool more. It is great that there are both options though! As for lounges & restaurants, we experienced Tambu Lounge, Capt. Cooks, & Trader Sam’s. The food and experiences were great at all 3 but my favorite would definitely be Trader Sam’s.

This is a must see for sure! We got right in without a wait which surprised me. The wait staff reacts differently to each item ordered off the menu and it becomes an experience the entire lounge takes part in. Between that and the decor, I could have spent hours there. Tip: Try to sit on a bar stool instead of on one of the couches – they have a fun surprise! Then there was transportation. I have not stayed at a Monorail resort in many years. In my opinion, it was worth every penny for that perk. It was super easy to come back for a swim mid-afternoon and took almost no time. It was great to visit other quick services and lounges along the Monorail line. We also had table service reservations at the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary so it was really nice to be so close to those. The buses for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom were frequent so no issue there either. Transportation at the Polynesian is on point!

Just the general feel and environment that this resort offers is so great. We felt relaxed and as if we were on a beautiful lush island while staying there. It was very immersive and I hope to take the littles back on a trip in the not-so-far future.

Disney Springs

We spent the first evening snacking and sipping our way around Disney Springs. Our first stop was the DockSide Margarita Bar. We were drawn right in by the music. There was a gentleman playing all kinds of fun music. He was quite talented and especially shocked me when he started playing the conch shell as an instrument. He was great!

We headed over to Paddlefish. Formerly Fulton’s Crab House, this large (docked) paddleboat is a great place to stop for food & drinks. I highly recommend heading to the rooftop. The view from up there is great and they have some amazing Ice pops!

The Hangar Bar was next on the list – Inspired by Jock Lindsay, Indiana Jones’ Pilot. We love the fun decor and all the nods to the movies and Jock’s travels. We always stop here for the pretzel – it comes with some great beer cheese & tasty mustard. Its a nice little snack that we like to order and snack on. We sit out on the dry-docked boat that looks like it is straight out of The Jungle Cruise. There, we listened to the music at the near-by stage and watched the Amphicars come and go.

Winebar George is a great little spot. This time we stopped at “The Basket” which is basically like a little grab-and-go window. You can get the Frozcato as well as the Dole Whip so it is worth a stop!

From there we needed a bite to eat. Figuring we would check out something new, we stopped in at D-Luxe Burger. Fairly typical quick service – you order at a window, get a pager and wait for your food. In the meantime you can help yourself to a number of amazing dips for your fries and burgers. They let you add on toppings-i.e. bacon, at NO CHARGE. I was kinda shocked honestly. So we got a bunch of dips and waited for our food to arrive and guess what? These. Burgers. Rock. Oh good gracious, it was tasty – stop there if you are looking for a delicious but quick burger. You will not be disappointed!

I wanted to show the Husband some of the neat places I learned about on my most recent training trip. I took him down the hidden staircase for Enzo’s. We grabbed a quick drink here (wishing we were not so full because this Italian food looked and smelled fantastic) and then I took him through the “secret” back exit. Once through there we arrived in the Basement of The Edison. It was super crowded and the house band was real good. After that, we called it a night – wouldn’t you?!

Magic Kingdom

This is the weekend before 4th of July so this place is hoppin’! However the new fastpass+ system seemed to do a fairly decent job of spreading everyone around. We were able to do all the mountains and all the attractions we wanted to do (along with a meet-up with my favorite Princess) and we were out of there by 4! It all comes down to the way you spend your Fastpasses and which itinerary you follow. Using a few tips and tricks, it is not hard to see all that you want, even on a Holiday Weekend. One of my favorite parts of helping guests plan their trips is maximizing their time in the parks. It is kind of a Disney Science and I like to think I am not too shabby at it!

Construction is in full swing for Tron. They were not actively working during the day but so much progress has been made in just the few months since I was last here. I am getting super excited about it!

Delicious Bites worth Noting:

Loaded Waffle Fries from Golden Oak Outpost
Loaded Tots from The Friar’s Nook
Spicy Chicken Waffle from Sleepy Hallow

Animal Kingdom

The only part of Animal Kingdom that felt crowded was Pandora – No surprise there. We avoided Pandora because we fastpassed Flight of Passage for later in the day and went out on one of the first Safari’s of the day. I think we will try to do each trip going forward. There was SO much animal activity. We were even chased by an ostrich and the driver had to drive straight through the next habitat to get us away from him. My favorite was watching a lion and lioness play. It was like watching two furry kittens – they were having a lot of fun.

It was my mission to find and smooch on Kevin-The Snipe from Up. He can be found roaming the Kingdom. Well, he actually found me and came right up to us and pointed to our Anniversary pins and clucked a bunch. Nothing like a congratulations from a Snipe – my vacation was complete.

Delicious Bites worth Noting:

Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork from Eight Spoon Cafe
Haystacks from Zuri Sweets Shop

We also found a neat little Nook over by Dinosaur! It is a Paleontologist’s Tent with some fun decor. The mixologist we encountered was fun and really knowledgeable. It seems to be more of an adult place but it did not say children couldn’t come in. We just liked the quiet and laid back vibe with the great theming as a background.

As usual, I took my stroll around the tree to see what new animals I could spot. I found what I think are reindeer! I will be doing my Christmas in July soon so I thought they were fitting!

Pandora was amazing, as always. It is quite breathtaking when you sit back and just consider your surroundings. Grab a beverage at Pongu Pongu and have a seat and take it all in. It is so worth taking the 5 minutes to do so.

Hollywood Studios

We got to the park 20 minutes before it opened and wound up very close to the opening line that they stop you at. We dropped back a bit because I insisted on going into the Trolley Car Cafe! We walked back to Toy Story to ride Midway Mania (already fastpassed Slinky Dog Dash for later). Wait was 5 minutes and when we came off, it was still 5 minutes. Swirling Saucers had no wait but Slinky was already up to 25 minutes. If you do not have a fastpass, go there first!

The highlight of the day was watching one of the Star Wars stage shows while facetiming our littles. We had a front row spot and I had a storm trooper come up to within a half-inch of my face. It scared the kids from 5 states away – but they loved it. I am excited to return in September and see what additional characters we can meet up with other than what they currently offer. My daughter would lose her mind if she could meet Rey and the same goes for me if I could meet Darth Maul. Can’t wait!

Delicious Bites worth Noting:

Peanut butter Crunch Cupcake at Trolley Car (OH my word…)
BBQ Brisket Melt at Woody’s Lunch Box
Chocolate Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart at Woody’s Lunch Box

Epcot

We had a Fastpass for Test Track so we got to the park about a half hour after opening and went right to Soarin’. It had no wait. The park was still quiet so we were able to get in a few more rides before our first Fastpass.

We caught not one, but two showings of The Jammitors. They do not perform the same act so you can see something different each time. If you have never stopped to see this short sidewalk show, you should! They are my husband’s favorite so we always see at least one showing. They give out fun little stickers that say “Junior Jammitor” which the Husband proudly wore the rest of the day…goof.

We finished up in Future World and headed for the Countries in World Showcase. We really went in depth into each country. We saw the inside of buildings and shops that we had not been able to enter for years because of impatient littles.

Special Places to check out –

La Cava in Mexico – the Guacamole is fantastic and it is a neat little spot off the beaten path
The walkways in China around the water are very pretty and they are full of fish and polywogs
The Fountain in Italy – a quiet and shady spot that is a peaceful spot to rest – note the grape vines full of grapes!
The Bazaar in Morocco – walk through all the different shops, they are so neat and different
The fountains & shops in France

While I have tried the phone booths in the United Kingdom as have several others, I have not gotten them to do much of anything in the past few years. While messing around with the phone, a Cast Member came up to us and said, “No, you are trying the wrong numbers. Call this number.” So we turned around to dial it and when we turned back, he was gone. We were soon delighted with a congratulatory message from Mickey and Minnie on our anniversary. THAT was some crazy Disney Magic! I love when it isn’t planned and just happens. I teared up a little.

We returned to our resort that evening to find the Magical Express folder on our door. What a sad sight! HOWEVER! We took advantage of our in-room bounceback offer and are already booked to return in September. This way I can visit Star Wars and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and relay any and all information I learn! If you have questions about where to find these offers, reach out to me!

If you would like me to assist in planning your Dream Vacation, contact me today and let’s get started!! My services are free of charge and I can help save you time and money! My passion and knowledge of Disney can really save you some stress and make your trip more enjoyable. Plus, qualifying reservations receive our Minnie Box! Our special thank you gift that is sent to you prior to departure for your trip. It is full of surprises and Magic and other wonderful things to enhance your stay.

#Adulting · Disney Dining · Disney Springs · Disney Travel Tip · Extra Magical Events · Walt Disney World

Flavors of Florida 2019: A Foodie Guide

June 9, 2019June 9, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

A whole new food and beverage experience is coming to Disney Springs. Now that Summer is here, we are celebrating with wonderful fresh flavors of fruits and citrus. Come experience some of these delicious bites and sips! This special event is going on all summer through September 2nd. Stop at any of the participating locations or the Disney Springs Welcome Center for a guide.

Personal Experiences:

This is a fantastic #Adulting Opportunity. Yes, many of these things you can grab on the go if you have littles in tow but it is far more immersive if you can do it without them. This is a great event for locals who can head over for the evening, guests traveling for a girlfriends weekend, bachelor/bachelorette parties, Disneymoons and all the other wonderful reasons adults travel to Disney. Bonus: If you are staying on Disney Property, you don’t have to worry about how you are getting back to your room after a few of these tasty beverages!

I have personally been to several of these locations and the experience is just as amazing as the food and beverages. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is one of my favorites in Disney Springs and we hit it each time we are there. The food and drinks are so different from normal fare. The building itself is so creatively built and decorated – I mean, where else can you sit in a dry-docked boat and drink out of a Monkey’s Head?? This is also a cool spot because you can watch the Amphicars launch next door.

Wine Bar George is a really neat wine bar. The food is outrageous and they help you pair anything you would like with a beverage. If you are a Dole Whip fan like myself, you will have to stop here. They have a Frozcato which is basically a alcoholic frozen Dole Whip. It is a delight!

Here is the menu, direct from Disney:

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

Fountain of Youth Chicken Wings – Chicken wings served with St Augustine Datil Pepper Sauce
Florida Rain – Orange vodka, gin, coconut rum, blue curaçao, and sour mix

D-Luxe Burger

Southern Burger – Signature beef blend patty topped with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce, grilled onion, and bacon
Orange Crème Milkshake – Vanilla gelato blended with zesty orange flavors and topped with whipped cream

Amorette’s Patisserie

Blood Orange Mousse – Lemon chiffon cake with grapefruit gelée

The Ganachery

Disney Springs Dark Chocolate Bar – Dark chocolate bar with orange
Florida Orange Ganache Square – Dark chocolate blended with Florida orange juice and orange zest
Key Lime Ganache Pop – White chocolate blended with Key lime juice and fresh lime zest covered with dark chocolate

Rainforest Cafe

Conch Fritters – Conch fritters served on a bed of tropical slaw with Key lime tartar sauce
Funky Buddha Floridian Hefeweizen

Wine Bar George and The Basket at Wine Bar George

Frozcato Cookie Sandwich – Frozen pineapple frozcato sandwiched between two house-made sugar cookies
Frozcato – Moscato, vodka, and Dole Whip Pineapple

Polite Pig

Smoked Prime Rib Slider – Prime rib served with a citrus aïoli and a green papaya horseradish slaw
Florida Mango Frosé – Fresh mango purée, sparkling rosé, and citrus

House of Blues – The Smokehouse

Key Lime Pie – Key lime pie with graham cracker crust and toasted coconut
Sandbar Sunday Islamorada Beer Company American Pale Wheat Ale

Splitsville

Tuna Poke Tower – Seared ahi tuna, spicy crab mix, diced Florida avocado, and Asian slaw stacked and served with crispy wonton chips
Strawberry Sake Spritzer – Local strawberries, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and rosé-infused sake garnished with a whole strawberry and mint

YeSake

Fresh Tuna Tekka Don – Fresh, customizable poke bowl featuring sushi-grade tuna on a bed steamed rice topped with avocado, cucumber, seaweed salad, tempura crunch, and a zesty house-made yuzu aïoli
Violet Sake Slushie – Japanese sake, prickly pear, and lime topped with konpeito candy
Frozen Beer Shandy – Kirin draft beer with fresh-squeezed orange juice topped with frozen Kirin foam

T-REX

Boom Boom Alligator Tacos – Flour tortillas, fried alligator, and tropical fruit slaw topped with micro cilantro and spicy garlic sauce
Sailfish Brewing Co. Tag & Release Amber
The Ice Age – Rum, blue curaçao, piña colada purée, and orange juice

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

Key West Shrimp Cocktail – Seasoned shrimp hand tossed with avocado, mango, cucumber, and house-made cocktail sauce and served with buttermilk crackers
Blood Orange Madras – Blood orange moonshine, freshly muddled strawberries, pineapple purée, and cranberry juice

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Local Buratta – Buratta made in Pompeo Beach, Florida served with prosciutto, arugula, fresh peaches, and basil pesto
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

Paddlefish

Crab Ceviche – Blue crab, avocado, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime served with tortilla chips
Key Lime Wheat Ale

The BOATHOUSE

Steamed Peel and Eat Florida Shrimp – Florida shrimp dusted with Boathouse seasoning and served with drawn butter
Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat Ale

Pizza Ponte

A Zesty Slice of Florida – Pizza bianca with Florida lemon, ricotta cheese, arugula, and black pepper
Guyebera Citra Pale Ale

STK Orlando

Market or Fresh Catch Ceviche – Ceviche with passion fruit, lime, and chilis
La Playita Lager

Paradiso 37, Taste of The Americas

Florida Scorpion Shrimp Paella – Colossal gulf shrimp, mussels, pancetta, peas, crushed red pepper, tomatoes, and savory Key lime butter tossed with Calasparra rice and broiled to perfection
Sunset Margarita – Tequila, cointreau, and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice

Planet Hollywood

Citrus Kale Salad – Superfood blend of kale, julienned broccoli, slivered Brussels sprouts and cabbage, feta, fresh grapefruit and oranges, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and agave dressing
Key Lime Martini – Vodka, ice cream, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup with a graham cracker crumbs rim

Morimoto Asia

Orange Gator & Waffle Cone – Tempura alligator wok-tossed with a sweet Florida orange sauce and served in a house-made waffle cone
Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA

Wanting to plan a last minute trip? There are still rooms available for the Summer. Disney just released a Summer Ticket Promotion and there are still room & dining promotions available. Contact me today and we can get you a no-obligation quote! My services are always free of charge and you get all my knowledge and planning tips too, not to mention stress-free planning! Plus qualifying trips receive our Minnie Box! Our special gift to your travel party tailored to your trip. Talk to you Soon!

#Adulting · Meg the Travel Agent · Savings Promotion · Walt Disney World

2020 Disney Packages!!

June 5, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

Pssssssst!! Pluto & Little Lilly have a fantastic secret for you!

2020 Vacation Packages for Walt Disney Wold are being released on June 18th!! Those trips for the less crowded winter months, Spring Break, Spring Holidays, and Summer of Next year that we have been talking about – we can now reserve them!!

Get all your questions, wants, and vacation details together and contact me today so we can get your package together and get you the best choices possible for resort, rooms, Extra Magic, and more!! For those of you planning those January Trips, your dining window will open right in July so let’s be sure to get you all set as soon as we can.

Why choose me to assist in planning your trip of a lifetime? I plan each guest’s trip as if it were my own. I pay attention to every detail and concern myself with every move made for your trip so you don’t have to. That paired with my knowledge and passion for this amazing Magical World will have you turning your Disney Dreams into Magical Memories in no time! Don’t forget to ask about our Minnie Box-a magical gift sent to you tailored for your trip.

There is still time to book an amazing trip for this Summer! A great discounted ticket promotion was just released and there are still room & dining promotions as well! Celebrate a graduation, a last summer before going away to college, a birthday/anniversary, bachelor/bachelorette, DisneyMoon, or just because!

Also, details are coming out daily about the newest addition to The World, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Visit this Fall/Winter Season to explore this Far, Far Away Galaxy along with all the other amazing happenings:

Food & Wine Festival
Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party
Festival of the Holidays
Christmas around Walt Disney World
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
New Nighttime Spectaculars
Opening of Star Wars land & later attractions
New Nighttime Spectaculars
Opening of the Skyliner

#Adulting · Characters/Meet & Greets · Disney Characters · Disney Dining · Disney Travel Tip · Extra Magical Events · Walt Disney World

H20 Glow: A Foodie Guide

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

H20 Glow is a great Extra Magical Even that takes place at Typhoon Lagoon on select Summer Evenings. Learn more about it here. This fantastic Extra Magical Event has some awesome perks and one of which will be all of its yummy bites and sips. For all the Disney Foodies, here is the guide, straight from Disney themselves:

FOOD
- Western Beef Brisket, Available at Leaning Palms – Beef brisket, fingerling potatoes, and baby carrots topped with pico de gallo and micro greens
- Pork Kabob, Available at Leaning Palms – Jicama slaw, kumquat preserves, pineapple, and watermelon topped with micro greens
- Chick Kabob, Available at Leaning Palms – Mojo chicken, jicama slaw, kumquat preserves, pineapple, and watermelon topped with micro greens
- Surfs Up Chicken Noodle Salad, Available at Leaning Palms, Typhoon Tilly’s, Snack Shack – Bulgogi chicken, noodle slaw, and lettuce topped with sesame seeds
- Fish Out of Water, Available at Leaning Palms – Baked cod, coconut rice, and baby bok choy topped with lemon butter and micro greens
- Cheese Party Platter, Available at Leaning Palms, Typhoon Tilly’s – Port Salude, smoked cheddar, fontina cheese, smoked gouda, grapes, and crackers
- Bathtub Party Sundae, Available at Happy Landings – Vanilla ice cream, confetti cake, whipped cream, and chocolate rubber ducks topped with sprinkles and served in a novelty bathtub dish

Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Milkshake, Available at Leaning Palms – Cotton candy milkshake served in a novelty Woody Boot and topped with whipped cream, edible glitter, and a gummy worm
Pineapple Soft-serve with Blue Raspberry, Available at Typhoon Tilly’s and Snack Shack – Pineapple soft-serve with blue raspberry slushy

BEVERAGES

The Glowing Unicorn (Non-alcoholic), Available at Leaning Palms –Non-alcoholic violet colada with a glow cube, rainbow whipped cream, edible shimmer glitter, and a twist candy lollipop
Tropical Flash Lemonade (Non-alcoholic), Available at Leaning Palms – Tropical smoothie mix with Odwalla Lemonade and a glow cube
Glow Fusion Punch (Alcoholic), Available at Leaning Palms – Vodka and fruit-based liqueur with grenadine and pineapple juice topped with rainbow popping pearls
Green Glowrita (Alcoholic), Available at Leaning Palms – Tequila, Granny Smith Apple syrup, and sour mix topped with blueberry popping pearls
Strawberry Glow Lemonade (Non-alcoholic), Available at Leaning Palms and High and Dry – Strawberry smoothie mix with Odwalla Lemonade and a glow cube
Buzz Blaster (Non-alcoholic), Available at Leaning Palms – Sprite and green apple popping pearls served with a Buzz Lightyear glow clip
Galactic Lemonade (Alcoholic), Available at Let’s Go Slurpin’ and Fred’s Dive Bar – Blueberry vodka, blue curaçao, Odwalla Lemonade, and pomegranate juice topped with Sprite and a glow cube
Party Time Tea (Alcoholic), Available at Let’s Go Slurpin’ – Tennessee whiskey, sweet tea, and lemonade with a glow cube
Dream Disco Float (Alcoholic), Available at Happy Landings – Hard orange soda, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and edible glitter
Adult Root Beer Disco Float (Alcoholic), Available at Happy Landings – Hard root beer, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and edible glitter
Elysian DayGlow IPA Draft (Alcoholic), Available at High and Dry
Brut de Peche Champagne (Alcoholic), Available at Fred’s Dive Bar – Served in a LED Champagne

NOVELTY ITEMS

Light-up Popcorn Bucket – Main Change Popcorn Cart
H2O Glow Nights Light-up Souvenir Cup – Various Locations throughout the Park
Alien Light-up Souvenir Cup – Various Locations throughout the Park
Light-up Champagne Glass – Various Locations throughout the Park
Glow Cubes – Various Locations throughout the Park
Buzz Lightyear Glow Clip – Leaning Palms
Woody Boot – Leaning Palms
Bathtub Party Sundae – Happy Landings

EXCLUSIVE EVENT MERCHANDISE

H2O Glow Nights Tumbler
H2O Glow Nights T-Shirt

Get those tickets while they are still available. This event is quite special and unique and will sell out!

#Adulting · Disney Dining · Disney Shows · Disney Travel Tip · Disneyland · New for Disneyland · Special Events in Disneyland · Star Wars

Galaxy’s Edge is on the Map!

May 31, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

No, but really, it has officially been added to the Disneyland Guidemap! Here is your sneek peek!

This is said to be one of the most immersive lands to ever be added to a Disney Park. When it opens tomorrow, guests will have an experience of a lifetime and use all 5 senses to explore this 14 acre land.

The adventure that you will be able to have while in this land will be unforgettable and you will truly feel that you are in Batuu. In addition to the innovative attractions (Just Smuggler’s Run to start off, Rise of the Resistance to open later this year) guests will eat, drink, & interact as true explorers of the Galaxy.

I can’t wait for guest’s photos of this land and their experiences to start rolling in. Please share any photos and/or experiences and opinions you may have about the land. I will not get to Disneyland’s until November unfortunately but I will be at the opening week of Disney World’s and I am super excited to report back. Enjoy!

#Adulting · Cruise Itineraries · Disney Cruise Line · Disney Dream · Extra Magical Events · runDisney

Castaway Cay 5K

May 30, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

If you’re going to run, why not do it in Paradise?!

January 15th, 2020, the Disney Dream will set sail from Port Canaveral on a 4-night sailing headed to Castaway Cay. There, guests who ran in at least one race the weekend prior in Walt Disney World will be able to partake in the Castaway Cay Challenge.

Runners will run a 5K through Disney’s beautiful private island before being able to kick back and relax with family and friends. Each runner will receive a special medal that has not yet been revealed, all before the delicious buffet lunch served on the island.

The race is the cherry on top of an amazing Cruise and time in Disney’s Castaway Cay. What an awesome opportunity!!

#Adulting · Disney Cruise Line · Disney Dream · Disney Fantasy · Disney Magic · Disney Travel Tip · Disney Wonder · New for Disney Cruises

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App – Updated

May 29, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

Disney just made a huge improvement to their Disney Cruise Line Navigator App!

Now you can utilize the app before you board the ship! There are now new elements to the app, including the fun countdown above, that are both helpful and can get the whole family excited for their trip.

New additions include:

Manage several different parts of your reservation including modifying staterooms, making payments, and viewing deck plans
Check-in right on the app
Activities section where you can see activities both on the ship and at your ports of call
Additional Options section where you can look at your ground transportation, flight information, protection plans, and more

To learn more about the Navigator App – head over here. I consider it a “must-have” on the Disney Cruises.

I have super useful information that can really enhance your trip when it comes to checking in, protection plans, ground transportation & more! Contact me about reserving a cruise and let me help you get the most out of your stay. If you’re already booked, we may be able to transfer your reservation over to me. Plus all qualifying trips receive our Minnie Box delivered to your door before you travel! Our gift to you that is tailored specifically to your party & your trip.

#Adulting · Islands of Adventure · New for Islands of Adventure · Universal Resort · Wizarding World

Update: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

May 21, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

We have the first photos and some video of this ride and it…is….awesome! I am giddy over how immersive and detailed it is! Still scheduled to open June 13th, this ride is blowing away records left and right. Here are some facts direct from Universal themselves:

This will take us beyond Hogwarts – Mostly taking place in the Forbidden Forest, this attraction will take us to a whole new part of the Wizarding World
New Environments & Sets – Inside never before seen ruins, you will be able to see habitats where Hagrid Kept his Blast-Ended Skrewts, dragon eggs that he is currently nursing that are just about to hatch, and many more materials used during his Care of Magical Creatures Class. Let’s not forget some familiar faces that we will see as well – Arthur Weasley, Hagrid, and even Fang
Most Launches – This coaster will have 7 launches, the most of any coaster in the world
Vertical Drop! – You will be dropped, vertically, 17 feet
Longest Roller Coaster in Florida – Nearly a mile
Two Different “Rides” – Your riding in Hagrid’s Motorbike, choose from riding the bike or riding in the sidecar
Will launch you 65 ft into the air at a 70 Degree angle, then drop you straight backward in one smooth motion

The unpredictability of this ride is going to be crazy and so exciting! I cannot wait! Tip: Riding this at night will feel even more authentic! Check out a sneak peek video below:

#Adulting · Disney Dining · Epcot · Extra Magical Events · New for Epcot · Walt Disney World

Epcot Food & Wine Festival: 2019

May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

Details announced for the 24th International Food & Wine Festival!!

This is one of my favorite festivals all year at Epcot and I am so glad I will be able to check it out once again! This year, the Festival will run from August 29-November 23. This is the longest running Food & Wine Festival yet. It tops out at 87 days and each one will be packed with tasty bites and delicious sips.

Here are some great things we know so far:

Due to the popularity of the “Disney Du jour Dance Party” in Future World, it will now take place 7 days a week.
Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will return this year. This is a great activity for the kids while the grown ups enjoy a tasty bite or two.
There will be a candy sushi interactive experience again this year
Eat to the Beat concert series returns again this year through November 19th
There will be a “Party for the Senses” featuring chefs and vintners from all over the world
Sunday Brunch will be available with celebrity chefs
“Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” is a hands on workshop you can be a part of alongside famous chefs, bakers, and mixologists

Stay tuned for further details such as returning food booths, new booths, as well as menu’s and more!

With all the returning favorites and all of the new wonderful experiences being added, now is definitely the time to book for this fall and take full advantage. Grab your spouse, best friend, or a group of buddies and let’s get you reserved to eat & sip around the world!

#Adulting · Cruise Itineraries · Disney Cruise Line · Disney Dream · Disney Travel Tip · Walt Disney World

New Disney Dream Sail Dates

May 19, 2019 WDW Dreams Into Memories

The first time I set foot on the Disney Dream, I fell in love. The Dream & the Fantasy are my favorite cruise ships in the cruising industry. They have an excellent balance of things for kids, things for the whole family, but also plenty for just the adults. The adult area on these two ships are simply amazing and the teen area (for some day when mine are older) has got to be the coolest club on the high seas. I mean, they have their own hot tub and sun deck!!

A great option for guests that LOVE Walt Disney World but may want to try a Disney Cruise or those that want to do both but don’t cant travel for more than 7 nights or so, I suggest the Land & Sea option (or what I like to call Surf & Turf : )

This is a 3 or 4 night sailing that is paired with a few days at Disney World. The Disney Dream just added new sailings that cater to this type of guest perfectly!

They added the following itineraries for 2020:

3-Night Bahamian Cruises
Disney Dream from Port Canaveral, FL
New 2020 Sail Dates: Aug. 24, 27; Sept. 3, 2020

4-Night Bahamian Cruises
Disney Dream from Port Canaveral, FL
New 2020 Sail Dates: Aug. 30; Sept. 6, 10, 2020

More dates will be released for later in 2020 as well if you are looking to travel early in the school year or on one of awesome Halloween Sailings or Holiday Sailings. Stay Tuned!!

If you are interested on pricing for one of these great cruises alone or would like to pair it with a stay at Disney World, I would love to help! I have great knowledge about the Disney Cruises which can be an awesome advantage to you while planning. Contact me today for a no obligation quote – remember my services are always free of charge and qualifying reservations will receive our Minnie Box!