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Articles for ‘Disney Vacation’ Category

Disney Insider: Make your first day at Disney a magical one

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

‘Ohana restaurant in Disney’s Polynesian Resort offers a Character Dining breakfast and a Polynesian-inspired dinner menu. Photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney World

By Jill E. Cooper

The vacation countdown has ended, your boarding passes have been printed and you’ve checked in online at your resort. The much-anticipated day has arrived: You’re going to Walt Disney World! You’ve got plans to spend a full day at each of the four main Disney theme parks in Orlando (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and have set aside time to shop at Downtown Disney and swim at Disney’s fun water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) during your stay. But how will you spend your day of arrival at the most magical place on earth? You may not want to burn a day of admission on your theme park tickets since you won’t have a full day to spend in the parks. So what should you do? Here’s a plan for a magical first day at Disney. (more…)

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Disney Insider: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2012

Friday, September 28th, 2012

Ocean Spray’s Cranberry Bog, one of the exhibits at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, educates visitors about cranberry harvesting.

By Deborah Bowen

Walking through Epcot at this time of the year—the lull between Labor Day and the beginning of “Florida Fall”—can cause one of a couple of reactions. “What’s that shuttered kiosk labeled ‘Australia’?” one might ask. “Did it close? Why did it close?”

But the aficionado of this popular event experiences a delightful frisson of anticipation. “It’s not closed,” she might explain. “It hasn’t opened yet. But get ready for when it does!”

With special guests (including celebrity chefs and prominent vintners from around the world), presentations, merchandise, and all kinds of parties planned for this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Epcot’s main attractions are found throughout World Showcase, in permanent pavilions and in the sudden kiosks filling in the spaces.

I’m talking, of course, about the food and the wine. (more…)

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Disney Insider: Tips for stretching your vacation dollars

Friday, September 14th, 2012
Disney's Magical Express

Any guest staying at a Disney resort can hitch a free ride from the airport on Disney’s Magical Express. Photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney World

by Jill Cooper

Even in tough economic times, families still want to enjoy vacations together. In fact, that all-important, unplugged bonding time among parents and their kids is more vital than ever. But it’s even more crucial to stretch those hard-earned vacation dollars. Here are some easy and effective money-saving tips I’ve discovered over 35 years of visiting  Walt Disney World Resort. (more…)

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Character building: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Friday, July 20th, 2012

Our biggest Crush: The Nemo character is larger-than-life at the Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Credit: Matt Stroshane.

By Jill E. Cooper

As vacation time rolls around and people find out I’ll be going away, the question becomes inevitable.  “Why are you going back to Walt Disney World again?”  It’s obvious: For thousands of us who grew up making our best childhood memories in the land of the mouse, the urge to return tugs on our heart strings. And secondly, Walt Disney World Walt Disney World Resort is always changing. Walt Disney himself insisted that the parks would never be finished; innovation and new attractions were part of his original blueprint. And so it’s a no-brainer that I’d want to check out  Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the newest (and one of the most whimsical) of more than two dozen on-property resorts. (more…)

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Plan B: Rainy day distractions at Walt Disney World

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Rainy days and video games: Find refuge from the storms at DisneyQuest, a 5-floor, indoor theme park.

By Deborah Bowen

Floridians toss around a familiar saying during the summer months: “Don’t like the weather? Wait 10 minutes.” And nowhere is that more evident than the daily thunderstorms that strike from June to August. Fortunately, these storms tend to be brief and cooling. But they can certainly impact a fun day at Walt Disney World if there’s not a backup plan ready for action. (more…)

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Spoonfuls of sugar: 5 ice cream treats at Disney World

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop towers with fudge, bananas and four flavors of ice cream.

By Deborah Bowen

What is it about the Walt Disney World Resort that beckons people out? The rides? Certainly. The atmosphere? Absolutely. And the one variable that keeps us all cool: ice cream. Summertime means frozen sweets. The two are inexorably linked.  Hot sticky days are cooled down by sweet sticky confections, be they served in a cone, on a stick, or in a cup. Frozen options abound at the parks, but five of these rise above the others, and continue to make must-try lists, year after year. (more…)

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5 tips for balancing business travel with family vacations

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland is a great place for kids and adults.

By Mark Chesnut

During the summer season, busy professionals may face the challenge of balancing work trips with family vacations. Here are a few ways to stay productive while maintaining a balance between work and quality time with the family (with some delightfully Disney-influenced examples). (more…)

Posted in Business Travel, California Vacation, Disney Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation | No Comments »

5 ways to beat the heat at Walt Disney World

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

 

Wet in the wild: Nothing says grouping bonding like getting soaked by the Kali River Rapids.

By Jill E. Cooper

As summer heats up and the mercury begins to soar, families around the world find themselves planning and dreaming about fun in the sun at Walt Disney World Resort. With high temperatures in the 90s, Florida weather may present eager guests with formidable touring conditions. Fear not, Florida lovers! Throughout Walt Disney World property you’ll find dozens of ways to deal with blazing temperatures. What’s my best advice for beating the summer heat at Disney World? Seek water anywhere you can, and fast. (more…)

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Orlando amazing: New group-friendly attractions

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Disney magic: Downtown Disney is among the group-friendly venues in central Florida.

By Mark Chesnut

Orlando may be known as the capital of Florida vacations, but its many world-famous attractions can also serve as memorable backdrops for business meetings, entertaining and enjoying time off after long days at work. (more…)

Posted in Business Travel, Disney Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Orlando Vacation | No Comments »

First dibs: An exclusive sail aboard the Disney Fantasy

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Doodle & dine: Sketches dance on screens at Animator's Palate on the Disney Fantasy. Credit: Matt Stroshane.

By Tim Enstice

In advance of its first official cruise on March 31, yesterday the brand new Disney Fantasy embarked on an exclusive preview cruise to showcase all of the new features and amenities that families will experience throughout their vacation.  From the AquaLab to the Disney Wishes stage show to the Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique, among many other additions, the Disney Fantasy is an entirely new vacation experience that builds upon the success of its sister ship, the Disney Dream. (more…)

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